'More clubs than Tiger Woods'

Former Addicks striker Macauley Bonne is seeking to relaunch his football career at Billericay Town, Isthmian Premier League promotion hopefuls.  I lived in Billericay when I was at secondary school and I don't recall many barn doors in the surrounding countryside.

But Blues boss Danny Scopes is hopeful Bonne can lead them to promotion at New Lodge.  

The 30-year old front man recently played three international matches for Zimbabwe in the African Nations Cup in Morocco.   He described playing for The Warriors against teams like Angola as one of the best experiences of his career.

A season in non-league with Southend yielded just five goals in 30 appearances.   He then joined Maldon & Tiptree but lasted just two months at the ambitious Jammers.

Bonne admitted, 'I know I am a bit of a journeyman.  I've had more clubs than Tiger Woods.'

'As long as I'm kicking a ball and playing with a smile on my face, I'm happy', Bonne told today's Non-League Paper.

His reported fee when he joined the Addicks was around £200,000.

Super Hoops bid for Bonne

QPR have made a second bid for Macauley Bonne: https://talksport.com/football/efl/761254/championship-transfer-news-qpr-charlton-bid-bonne/ 

However, Charlton have made it clear he is not for sale.  

Take positives from the loss

Lee Bowyer hopes that Charlton's young players will take some positives from tonight's 3-0 Carabao Cup defeat at West Ham: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/lee-bowyer-hopes-charlton-youngsters-take-positives-from-league-cup-exit-at-hands-of-premier-league-west-ham/

The sanguine supremo thinks that only Chuks Aneke's injury record stops him playing at a higher level: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/chuks-aneke-wouldnt-be-playing-in-league-one-if-his-fitness-record-was-better-charlton-boss-lee-bowyer/

Bowyer did confirm a club had put a bid in for Macauley Bonne and it was turned down. 'That happened and we turned it down. We’ve gone back to them and said he’s not for sale.'

Charlton forecast to finish 12th

Four Four Two has forecast a 12th place finish for Charlton in League One.  They comment, 'This prediction could end up very low if the Addicks find their third owners of 2020 and hold on to Lee Bowyer.  Amid much boardroom chaos, the current situation is worryingly uncertain.'

SLP journalist Louis Mendez provides the accompanying notes.  He says that the key player will be Macauley Bonne, 'He will be our main hope in front of goal after Lyle Taylor's departure.' 

'Our most underrated player is Chuks Aneke.  His first season at the club was disrupted by injury, but there's a player in there.  Defenders struggle to stifle him.'

'Look out for Josh Davison, he has something about him.'

No calls about Bonne

Despite speculation linking him with a number of clubs, no one has made a phone call to Steve Gallen about Macauley Bonne.  Dillon Phillips has been linked with a number of clubs: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/exclusive-charlton-transfer-chief-on-speculation-surrounding-striker-macauley-bonne-and-goalkeeper-dillon-phillips/

'The reds are staying up'

This was the chant from the Covered End as Charlton beat Luton Town 3-1 at The Valley this afternoon. It was a rather frenetic first half with Charlton making lots of mistakes as Luton pressed for a win. A very strong cross wind made it difficult to play quality football.

The midfield was far from its best, unusually including Cullen. Three at the back didn't seem to be working very well either. Lyle Taylor, a target for chanting from the Hatters, maddened them by putting the Addicks 1-0 ahead, Naby Sarr having earlier hit the crossbar. Alfie Doughty also forced a save from charm merchant keeper Sluga (who in the second half tussled with Lyle Taylor and got the captain for the day a yellow card).

Charlton are always vulnerable when they have scored and not much more than a minute later Luton equalised after some woeful defending making the half time score 1-1.

Green missed a chance to put the Addicks ahead after the break and Luton had a goal chalked off for offside on 51 minutes, their manager putting it down to discrimination against 'little Luton'. After a blatant handball, Lyle Taylor calmly put the Addicks ahead from the penalty spot. Phillips had to make a good save from Moncur.

Bringing Lapslie on as a substitute helped to change the game, as did the subsequent addition of Bonne. Lapslie put the game beyond doubt by scoring the third goal in the 87th minute after a one two with Bonne. He's truly one of our own. Alfie Doughty also showed some moments of sublime skill, outwitting the Luton defence.

Charlton moved up to 18th with Barnsley, Stoke and Wigan all winning.

Attendance was just under 19,000 despite a packed away end but the Addickted made a lot of noise to back the team.

The report from Louis Mendez is here: Super sub George Lapslie

In his comment serene supremo Lee Bowyer said that Lyle Taylor would have enjoyed silencing the Luton fans: Silencing abusive Luton fans

Bonne boost

Macauley Bonne will be on the bench at Nottingham Forest tomorrow, as will Aiden McGeady who has recovered from illness. Lyle Taylor is fit: Striker boost

Super Kev sees bright future for Addicks

Super Kevin Lisbie now runs a workshop for young strikers after retiring from non-league football last summer at the age of 40. He played a key role in the FA Vase campaign of Cray Valley Paper Mills, particularly in the semi-final: Super Kevin Lisbie Unfortunately the Eltham-based club were defeated in the final at Wembley and Lisbie was substituted: Lisbie's Wembley farewell.

However, it was a great end to a long football career. He spent more than a decade at The Valley.

He is convinced that Charlton can go from strength to strength under new ownership. 'If someone takes over your club, you just want people who care and now that ESI have come in I think that's what we'll get.'

Having spent time alongside Lee Bowyer, Lisbie thinks that the very spirit and determination that Bowyer displayed in his playing years is what Charlton wants in the coming months. Lisbie thinks that he made a massive difference when came in as manager in League One.

Lisbie told The Football League Paper: 'Charlton replicate the player Lee was and that's a good thing because you need to be resilient in the Championship.' Lisbie thinks that when Bowyer came in as manager, 'the players ran a bit further, tackled a bit harder and they were giving their all.'

The former Jamaica international was eager to praise Macauley Bonne: 'I think he has done well this year. I thought the jump might be too big for him, but he's come in and scored goals. I watched him a lot at Leyton Orient and there's games when he's not involved at all but all of a sudden he scores goals.'

Super Kev continued: 'This league is so relentless that he needs relaxing and managing. It's hard work, the Championship, and to do what he does giving his absolute all week in, week out is really tough.'

Defeat at Derby

The stats quoted before the game by Richard Cawley suggested that defeat at Derby was more or less inevitable, but it is still unpleasant when it happens. A Lyle Taylor penalty made for a respectable 2-1 home win by the 10 men of Derby County.

Former Addick Krystian Bielik was sent off for a reckless studs up and high tackle on Conor Gallagher, but the home fans then relentlessly booed the youngster because he had failed to break his ankle or leg. He finally got a yellow card, meaning that another two will lead to a two game suspension. The same goes for Darren Pratley.

Richard Cawley said that this was a 'desperately poor Charlton performance'. By the end of the game there were five Academy graduates on the pitch which could be seen as a badge of pride or a mark of inadequacy.

Derby went ahead after 10 minutes. Phillips made the initial save, but the ball was nodded in at the far post.

Bonne had problems with his hamstring after 35 minutes and was replaced by Taylor at half time. Louis Mendez summed up the first half performance as 'very lethargic from the Addicks'. Social media critics focused on Sarr as the scapegoat player of the moment.

In the second half Charlton struggled to fashion chances and Knight had plenty of room to score the second goal for Derby.

The penalty came after Curtis Davies felled Gallagher in the area. Charlton came alive in the last 10 minutes. Derby were then indebted to a great double save by goalkeeper Ben Hamer from Ben Dempsey and Taylor.

Charlton are now 19th, seven points above the drop zone, but it should be remembered that the objective this year is to survive.

However, none of the injured players will be back for Swansea/Abertawe with Bonne now ruled out as well with his hamstring.

Richard Cawley of the SLP tweeted, 'This takeover needs to happen soon. Or actually get the likes of Williams and Oztumer back. Charlton running on fumes tonight.'

More than usually shell shocked supremo Lee Bowyer told BBC London: 'W were poor, from start to finish. We got out-battled, outfought. We were second to all the second balls. We got what we deserved - nothing.' I's a low point, but there will be higher ones.'

As for the takeover, the EFL will ratify if and when they are ready. They are a trade association running a competition for their member clubs with just 75 staff. They are also under political pressure to be more stringent, not that I think they had any grounds under their test to rule out Roland's takeover.

Brilliant Bonne

VOTV editor Rick Everitt is a happy man again after Charlton's Boxing Day performance. Lyle Taylor may have given a valedictory wave, but he was upstaged by Macauley Bonne. He may well have benefitted from the return of Taylor, but no one could question his work rate and his instinct for goal, suggests Everitt. Read the Rickster's views on the game here: Brilliant Bonne Leaves Robins Rocking Again

One would not wish to suggest that as experienced an observer of Charlton as Rick Everitt has a mild case of goldfish syndrome (basing everything on the last game). When there is success after a long barren spell, it is time to celebrate.

A more intriguing issue is whether the Ramsgate-based fan is finding his inner Napoleon again. We're not suggesting for a moment that he is spending time on the West Cliffe hoping the weather will clear so that he can see the cliffs of France. Nor is there any suggestion that when he entered the Royal Victoria Wetherspoons for his celebration pint, he was holding his left arm in an unusual position. It's all more subtle than that.

BTW, the flag of Abu Dhabi is quite appropriate for Charlton as it is mostly Addicks red but with a white rectangle in the top left-hand corner.

Charlton fight back to win three points

Charlton ended their dire run with a 3-2 victory over Bristol City at The Valley this afternoon including a brace from Macaulay Bonne. However, it was the 12th match without a clean sheet and the defence will need some attention in the transfer window.

Charlton went up to 17th, one point behind Birmingham City or third out of ten in the relegation league.

Bonne showed his intent on five minutes when a shot from him was deflected for a corner. City skipper Brownhill displayed his west country charm by cynically tripping Morgan and received a yellow card.

From a Charlton corner, Doughty put an excellent ball in but Sarr headed wide. Lockyer, just behind Sarr, might have been in a better position to score. Bonne got a yellow card for a foul. Matthews won the ball well off Diedhiou.

With the atmosphere in the ground nervy, Bonne then took advantage of a long ball with a really cool lob over the keeper to put the Addicks 1-0 ahead. A late Charlton corner was cleared.

Charlton went behind after 45 seconds in the first half, suggesting a lack of concentration. The Austrian player Weimann scored with a header. Meanwhile, Rowe had been replaced by former Addick Jay DaSilva.

Gallagher went down hurt and was replaced by Purrington. On 56 minutes Charlton hit the crossbar, but it is not clear who was engaging in crossbar challenge practice.

On 60 minutes City went ahead through Elliason. The Swede nutmegged Phillips from five yards out. Phillips then had to save from an Elliason volley. Purrington was brought down in the box, but well-regarded referee Keith Stroud said there was no penalty. Then a minute later Bonne made it 2-2. Doughty then made it 3-2 at the far post.

The hard working Morgan was replaced by Jason Pearce on 86 minutes. On 90 minutes City won a free kick wide on the right which was potentially dangerous, but was dealt with.

Referees now apparently get a bonus for every minute added on at the end of the second half, so the customary five minutes became eight after Oshilaja received treatment. Weimann was way off target. A late City free kick saw the keeper come up, but Charlton held on.

Despite limitations on public transport the stated attendance (including absent season ticket holders) was 18,058 with 1,260 Bristolians.

Shaken and stirred supremo Lee Bowyer said: 'Fair play to the players. They kept going and going. Their togetherness is unreal. It was great to see Alfie get his goal. I'm pleased for him because sometimes he switches off when balls are coming across the box. He got there today and he got his reward. A draw may have been a fair result, but we’ve had a lot happen to us in recent weeks so you can say we were due it.'

Lee Bowyer told Bonne to add physicality to his game: Go out there and be horrible

Jonathan Leko is out for the rest of the season.

Illness on top of injury hits Charlton

The celebration party for the departure of Roland from The Valley did not go well with Sheffield Wednesday winning 3-1, although Charlton stay 17th in the table.

With only five players to choose from on the bench after Ben Purrington was forced to pull out, some Charlton players were also struck down by vomiting and diarrhoea. And the Addicks' injury crisis worsened further when they had to keep Oztumer on the pitch after he suffered what looked like a hamstring strain.

Following a neat exchange of passes with Morgan Fox, Bannan curled over a superbly weighted in-swinging left-foot cross from close to the left flank and Fletcher nipped in just ahead of his marker Naby Sarr to steer home a deft header just inside Dillon Phillips' left upright.

But, just nine minutes later, the Addicks levelled out of the blue. Recalled teenager Alfie Doughty surged down the left flank to find Bonne with a low cross and the striker's half-hit left-foot shot took a deflection off Tom Lees to wrong-foot Owls keeper Cameron Dawson for his sixth goal in 11 games.

It took until 10 minutes from time for the Owls to go back in front from the spot. Murphy went down as he knocked the ball past the labouring Oztumer, the penalty was awarded and Fletcher stroked his eighth goal of the season into the bottom left-hand corner.

Bannan then proved the architect again when he picked out Nuhiu to wrap up the scoring with the simplest of headers deep into added time.

Lee Bowyer said: 'It was a tough day. We've got enough injuries, but then to chuck in a few illnesses as well doesn't help. It was a bit of everything. Sickness, diarrhoea, not good.'

'Ben Purrington was down to start, but he was ill just before we got on the coach, so we had to send him home. Then once we got here and put the team sheet in, Albie Morgan was being sick just before the game. We couldn't do anything about that. We just had to see how he went. Then again at half-time he was sick. That's why we took him off. He couldn't move in the end.'

Bowyer said he had spoken to the new owners and 'They have said that there is money to spend in January and that me and the staff are going to get proper contracts.'

Bonne gets the all clear

Macauley Bonne can carrying on playing for Charlton after cardiac tests. He dropped out of international duty with Zimbabwe: Carry on playing

George Lapslie has aggravated his hamstring injury and will not be available for selection against Cardiff City on Saturday.

Charlton draw with league leaders

Charlton secured a 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns this afternoon. The Baggies took an early lead, but birthday boy Macaulay Bonne equalised for Charlton. The home side were reduced to ten men on 67 minutes, but still managed to go ahead. A penalty in time added on enabled Charlton to equalise.

Gallagher had been identified as a danger man by the Baggies before the game and Livermore put in a nasty challenge on the youngster. It earned him a yellow card, but it could have been a red.

A low cross enabled Matt Phillips to tap the ball home on six minutes put the Baggies 1-0 ahead. On 12 minutes Otzumer turned provider for Bonne who was denied by a last minute tackle.

A Gallagher drive was touched towards goal by Lockyer, but it was just over. From a Purrington cross, Solly put in a volley but it was inches wide. Phillips headed wide for Albion.

Two minutes into the second half an Albion chance was put over by Dillon Phillips. He then charged down an effort from his namesake.

On 60 minutes Bonne scored his fifth goal in six starts. A shot deflected into the air enabled Bonne to score with a header.

There were so many charm merchants playing for the hosts that the referee initially sent off the wrong player on 67 minutes, but eventually Ferguson was dispatched for his challenge on Solly. The Baggies made a double substitution. On 73 minutes Otzumer was replaced by Aneke.

Pearce denied Townsend with a sliding tackle. A Cullen shot was inches away. On 81 minutes substitute Robson-Kanu put Albion ahead.

On 87 minutes Pearce and Pratley were replaced by Kayal and Josh Davison, the former Enfield Town ace making his Addicks debut. With six minutes added on, Charlton were awarded a penalty for a foul on Sarr, arguably a bit soft, but I'm not complaining. Cullen drove the ball down the middle to score.

Albion blasted over a late chance and an Albion corner had to be cleared.

Charlton are now 8th in the table.

98th minute blow for Charlton

Charlton went down to defeat 2-1 at Bristol City when the home side scored a 98th minute winner, an undeserved victory if there ever was. The match left Charlton with more injury worries.

The game looked destined to finish as a draw until midfielder Brownhill latched on to substitute Kasey Palmer's lofted pass and drilled a left-foot shot past Dillon Phillips.

After a lacklustre first half, the Addicks took the lead when Macauley Bonne beat Daniel Bentley to Beram Kayal's through ball at the corner of the box, took the ball past the Robins keeper and slid it home from a tight angle. But Bristol City levelled when the visitors failed to cut out a looping cross by Brownhill and another substitute, Famara Diedhiou, headed home from close range.

The Senegal striker was then shown a straight red card four minutes from time for kicking out at Jason Pearce while the Charlton defender was on the floor.

Brownhill registered the only effort on target - a tame long-range shot - of a cagey first half, which was interrupted by injuries to Charlton midfielders Sam Field and Jake Forster-Caskey.

But there was no shortage of chances after the break, with Bonne curling a shot wide of the far post and Kayal and Conor Gallagher both being denied by Bentley. Bonne's opener on the counter-attack came after the home side's best spell of pressure as Andi Weimann saw a shot from eight yards turned over the bar by Phillips, while Diedhiou and Rodri both had efforts scrambled off the line following a corner. Phillips then pulled off two more fine stops to keep out a fierce Weimann drive and a Palmer header, before Diedhiou nodded in the equaliser.

Lee Bowyer was devastated by the result: Charlton return empty handed

Jonny Williams had an operation on Tuesday and is out for a minimum of two months. Sam Field left Ashton Gate in a knee brace: Injury crisis worsens

Charlton are now 10th, but the table is so tight that they are just five points off first place and two points off the play offs.

Rainbow over The Valley

A rainbow was seen at The Valley this afternoon as Charlton secured a decisive 3-0 victory over Derby County with goals from Bonne, Sarr and Gallagher. Serving the first game of his touchline ban, Lee Bowyer directed operations from the press box.

The attendance was 19,408 but the Jimmy Seed emptied out after Charlton's third goal.

Charlton started brightly with a Forster-Caskey effort blocked on four minutes. On six minutes Sarr released Jonny Williams who charged down the left side and cut the ball back for Bonne who put a left foot finish into the far left hand corner.

A good sliding challenge by Pratley denied Malone.

A Charlton counter attack on 20 minutes started with Pratley winning the ball of Bielik. Bonne's low cross was just in front of Williams. Sarr put in a great tackle on the edge of the area.

Derby were not being given any time on the ball and Bielik in particular was being aggressively closed down. The impressive Williams had to be withdrawn on 31 minutes, but Sam Field who replaced him played well. Roos made a big save from Cullen before the break.

Naby Sarr took advantage of a Cullen corner at the far post to make it 2-0 with a header. Waghorn fouled Gallagher and received a yellow card. On 60 minutes Derby made a double substation with Bielik going off to a standing ovation.

Gallagher made it 3-0 wit a brilliant strike from 25 yards into the top left-hand corner. Bonne was replaced by Hemed on 75 minutes. Gallagher was then replaced by Kayal. Phillips had to make an excellent save from Bennett to deny the Rams a consolation. Hemed shot straight at Roos in time added on.

Charlton are now 7th in the table and two points behind Leeds in second place.

Charlton are waiting for an assessment of the Jonny Williams knee injury: Anxious wait

Match report from Louis Mendez here: Rams swept aside

Bowyer's development strategy for Bonne

Some interesting comments by Lee Bowyer on Macauley Bonne who was doubting himself and asking what he was doing at Charlton: Insight on strikers development

Clubs such as Shrewsbury Town were interested in taking him loan, but Bowyer wanted to give him the chance to develop at The Valley. The manager thinks that his hold up play has improved 'like you couldn't believe'. He is, however, still a work in progress.

Bowyer has asked for a personal hearing over his FA charge: Personal hearing

Thrilling draw at the Cottage

We would have taken a 2-2 draw before the game which again reflects credit on Lee Bowyer and his team. Fulham twice came from behind to draw a pulsating London derby against Charlton at Craven Cottage.

The Addicks deservedly led at the break through Conor Gallagher's smart low finish after Forster-Caskey fed Solly.

The lively Ivan Cavaleiro fired into the top corner after exchanging passes with Bobby Reid and evading Sarr to make it 1-1, only for Macauley Bonne's looping header to restore Charlton's advantage 90 seconds later.

But Fulham, much improved in the second half, levelled for a second time when Aleksandar Mitrovic forced the ball home from close range.

Dillon Phillips stopped Reid from scoring a time added winner for the home side. Lee Bowyer praised the great saves that Phillips made: Today I thought he was outstanding

Lee Bowyer said that it was a perfect away performance and a point was the least that Charlton deserved: Bowyer praises side

The report from Louis Mendez can be found here: Thrilling draw

Bonne lives the dream

This time last year Macualey Bonne was facing Braintree Town, on Saturday he scored against Leeds in the Championship. However, he admits he is still not up to speed with the Championship: Living the dream

There was strong loan interest in Bonne, but Lee Bowyer was determined to keep him as back up.

A battling performance

My report on the 1-0 victory over Leeds at The Valley yesterday is late because I went last night to a 70th birthday party for an Addick. With many fellow Addicks there, we were able to talk over the victory. As one pointed out, ten more wins should see us safe from relegation.

We agreed that the work rate of the team was tremendous. Jonny Williams was outstanding and Chris Solly had one of his best games for a long time. Conor Gallagher was also excellent, although he started to lose it towards the end of the game and was substituted to a standing ovation. Dillon Phillips made some excellent saves.

Leeds missed the chance to go top of the Championship as Macauley Bonne's scrappy goal condemned them to a first away defeat of the season at The Valley. Leeds applied early pressure. Ben White and Liam Cooper tested Dillon Phillips from corners, while Ezgjan Alioski saw a goalbound shot blocked by Jonathan Leko as the visitors dominated the early exchanges.

But Charlton led against the run of play from a corner of their own - Leeds keeper Kiko Casilla parrying Tom Lockyer's volley into the back of the unknowing Bonne, with the ball trickling in.

Chuks Aneke came on as a substitute and it is a shame he did not have a little more pace to take advantage of opportunities. Leko needs to be a little less greedy and pass the ball.

Leeds lacked cutting edge and put in wayward shots over the goal, but were denied a stoppage-time equaliser when Dillon Phillips made a superb save to deny Adam Forshaw from close range.

Patrick Bamford should have been red carded for a nasty second half tackle.