No Ram raid today

A second half comeback saw Charlton defeat Derby 2-1 at The Valley this afternoon.   Derby went ahead in the first half.

Lloyd Jones scored with a pinpoint header, making use of a well placed free kick by prodigal Karlan Grant.

Then Tyreece Campbell scored a rare goal to deliver the winner on 80 minutes.

Carlton Morris made a last minute effort for an equaliser and had a penalty appeal turned down.

The Addicks made a rapid start to the game but rarely threatened to go ahead before Szmodics scored following neat interplay with Morris, soon after going close with another strike.

The outstanding Campbell was at the heart of Charlton's best moments, sending in several dangerous crosses, notably when Rams defender Charlie Taylor made a brilliant block to stop Dan McNamara's fierce half-volley.

With pressure increasing on the resumption, Timothy Ouma headed wide when unmarked at a corner but Jones was not so wasteful as he powered the ball in from an exquisite Karlan Grant cross.

Campbell was the appropriate match winner and Charlton survived a late rally by the Rams, in which Oscar Fraulo forced a fine save from Will Mannion, who also denied Morris in injury time.

Nathan Jones told Richard Cawley that Charlton are in "really advanced negotiations" with Tyreece Campbell over a new contract.   And he wants to stay (not all fans will welcome this unfortunately).

Jones had only an opaque explanation of why Mannion was preferred over Kaminski.  Jones has never ruled out a move for him.  It is understood that the Belgian player's family live abroad.  A Cyprus club came in for him early in the transfer window.

Wines to drink if we win

Unfortunately I haven't been able to identify any good buys from Aldi or Lidl today, but I have spotted a New World Wine.  I am a great fan of them and have enjoyed visits to vineyards in Chile and various parts of Australia (Margaret River is tops).

I am also able to recommend a Sauvignon Blanc and there is an anecdote.  Annie was a friend at uni, later a work colleague and then a retirement pal in the Royal Spa.   She is no longer with us, but always drank Sauvignon Blanc.

Coffee with Annie

She had a pan in Spain and I used to drive her to and from Birmingham Airport.  Sometimes she had an upper class friend from Cambridge with her and this lady always festooned with her luggage on arrival and addressed me as 'Driver'.  Hence, 'Driver, take us to Tesco at Warwick and buy us two bottles of SB.'

Once I was at a funeral at Golders Green crematorium for a big funeral conducted by Dame Julia Neuberger.  I was not pleased to be identified as Annie's driver by the upper class lady who was accompanied by another upper class airhead.

'You can drive us to the wake.'  I explained that I used public transport in London.  So I had to take them on the tube which fortunately they found a very exciting novelty.   I was also able to give them an architectural tour en route to the pub.  I did leave before they did as I knew I would be required to provide a black cab to the Cambridge train.

Anyway, I am great fan of the SBs from Marlborough in New Zealand.  They are great value at £12, but the Co-op has an Irresistible Explorers at £8.25.  All right, I know that in my day we all called the RACS Rob All Customers Slowly.

Marks & Spencers has a Sicilian wine at £7.50, Found Arisonica which is a citrussy white with a firm finish.

Ram raid still on

Derby County have been something of a bogey team for us.  They defeated us in our first cup final at Wembley and I am still stung by a 2-4 home defeat in the then Division One when we had gone ahead.  Overall, in many encounters, we have lost 40 games, won 32 and drawn 21.

The Addicks are unbeaten in seven seasons on the opening day, winning five of those games, most recently 1-0 at home to Watford last year.

The Rams exited the EFL Cup at home to Lincoln and have seen a proposed takeover collapse in recent days while their 3-1 defeat at Stoke last season was their third straight defeat on the opening day.

Charlton Athletic have lost their past two home league games against Derby, only losing more consecutively between December 1946 and May 1951 (5).   Derby County have lost just one of their previous five league meetings with Charlton Athletic (W3 D1); a 2-1 defeat in February 2024.

Charlton lost five of their final eight league games last season (W1 D2), while only Sheffield Wednesday (12.7%) spent a lower proportion of their games in a winning position than the Addicks (16.5%) in the Championship last term.

Derby lost six of their final eight away games last season (W2), though did win their most recent match at QPR in April (3-2).

Carlton Morris' 12 league goals for Derby last season was his second-most in a single campaign in the top four tiers, behind his 20 for Luton Town in 2022-23; five of his goals in 2025-26 came from corners, more than anybody else.   Rams fans reckon that his physicality and hold up play make him the focal point.

Derby County have completed their fifth signing of the season,f Alex Mowatt from West Bromwich Albion as they made a breakthrough in their pursuit of the midfielder.

Coach John Eustace has said that he is glad the takeover drama is over and they can focus on the pitch.

Fuur Four Two forecast a 11th finish for the Rams with the fan commentator going for 8th and what is now a play off place,  The fans think that Eustace is not charismatic but a very effective manager   Thery also think that David Clowes is a model owner, not hogging the highlight and getting on rebuilding the clujb.

Scouser referee Ben Speedie has no sympathy for southern softies,  but at least has calmed down somewhat as he was known in his earlier career for his love of brandishing yellow cards and a red if he could.

Great news about Lloyd Jones

There were fears that he might go, but key player Lloyd Jones is staying.   

Defensive rock Lloyd Jones has signed a new contract at Charlton Athletic until the summer of 2028.  The Addicks have rewarded the centre-back for an excellent season in the Championship where he was top for defensive blocks and clearances.

Jones, who has won back-to-back Player of the Year awards at Charlton, was just pipped by Millwall’s Jake Cooper for aerial duels won.

The former Liverpool, Luton Town, Northampton Town and Cambridge United player featured in all 46 league matches for the Addicks - 45 of those starts.

Richard Cawley has remarked: 'As if you couldn't love Lloyd Jones any more, he played the last three months of the season with a busted up ankle.'

Managing director Jim Rodwell on the remainder of the transfer window: "There will be plenty of ebbs and turns yet. I think there will be a couple coming in and a few going out."  He repeated what Nathan Jones has been saying - right-wing is still an area that club want to add.

Will wounded animal stage a Ram raid?

Charlton are facing a bit of a wounded animal in Derby County this weekend. The Rams were dealt the surprise blow of their exciting investment deal collapsing, but John Eustace will be eager to use this as a way to galvanise the squad for the fight.

Derby County were beaten on home turf by Lincoln City last weekend. Despite an early goal of the season contender from Samodics, the Rams conceded two early first-half goals to start their season with a defeat.

There is hope amongst the Rams fanbase that they can have another solid campaign this time out, although the collapse of the takeover deal has dampened spirits. After finishing 8th last term, John Eustace has been backed with three signings, the most eye-catching of which being the permanent arrival of Bobby Clark.

Pundits are forecasting a Ram raid, although some think that the Addicks may be able to grind out a draw.  However, it is agreed by analysts that the club’s financial constraints limit them.   Mid-table may be possible, but a relegation battle is more likely.

I am  predicting a 1-2 defeat.

Derby to carry on against Charlton after shock news

Derby County have been left stunned after Saudi Arabian boxing powerbroker Turki Al-Sheikh backed out of a proposed deal to buy a majority stake in the Championship club at the 11th hour.

The Times reported in May that Al-Sheikh, an adviser in Saudi Arabia’s royal court who serves as the head of the General Entertainment Authority, was in advanced talks to purchase Derby from David Clowes, who saved the club from liquidation in 2022.

Al-Sheikh satisfied the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) and the English Football League (EFL) that his wealth was separate to that of the Saudi Public Investment Fund and was cleared to complete the deal last week. However, in an about-face that shocked Derby chiefs, Al-Sheikh abruptly called off the takeover on Monday, five days before the beginning of the season.

A statement from Derby read: “The club can confirm discussions with Lion Sport [the group headed by Al-Sheikh] to buy a controlling interest in Derby County will no longer proceed.  “The purchase process had been sanctioned by both the Independent Football Regulator and the EFL, notification of which the club received last week.

“However, today the club received notice that Lion Sport no longer wanted to continue with the purchase. For the benefit of any doubt, the club is now off the market and will continue to operate under the loyal, committed and unwavering support of Clowes Developments. Our preparations continue for the new EFL season, beginning against Charlton Athletic on Saturday.”

Al-Sheikh took to social media shortly afterwards and implied that the time taken by the IFR to approve the takeover was key to him pulling out of the deal. 

The approval process took 55 days — 90 days are permitted — and, given the complexities of the case because of Al-Sheikh’s longstanding relationship with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his role as a government minister, there is understood to be scepticism about whether other factors could be at hand.

“I would like to thank everyone at Derby County Football Club, and everyone involved in this process for all their hard work over the past few months,” Al-Sheikh said in a statement.

“We understood that the IFR process takes time and fully respect the importance of that, but unfortunately with the season already started, it would leave us with no time to prepare the team or the club for the season ahead.

Al-Sheikh previously owned both the Spanish club UD Almería and Pyramids FC in Egypt, but his primary involvement in sport has focused on boxing, and he is bringing the Anthony Joshua v Tyson Fury mega-fight to Saudi Arabia under the “Riyadh Season” banner. He was linked with an approach to buy Bristol City last year but that also did not come to fruition.

 

Welcome Timothy Ouma

Welcome to the 22-year old Kenyan international who joins the Addicks on a year long loan deal.  The  midfielder is physically robust and has a good positional sense.

Kenya Diaspora Media writes: 'For the Nairobi-born footballer, the transfer represents another important chapter in a journey that has taken him from the Kenyan domestic game to the European stage and now to England.

Ouma began attracting attention during his time with Nairobi City Stars, where his technical ability and maturity stood out despite his young age. His performances eventually earned him a move to Slavia Prague in 2022, allowing him to begin his professional career in Europe.

The transition to Czech football presented a new challenge. Ouma had to adapt to a different football culture, higher tactical demands and the physical intensity associated with European competition. At Slavia Prague, he continued to develop his game, although opportunities to establish himself as a regular first-team player were limited. Nevertheless, his qualities remained evident.

His ability to retain possession under pressure, pick out passes and connect midfield with attack made him one of the promising young players in the club’s ranks.

His move to Charlton now offers the midfielder something particularly valuable: regular competitive football.

Charlton Athletic, one of England’s historic clubs, sees Ouma as a player capable of adding creativity, energy and technical quality to its midfield. The club is looking to build a squad capable of competing at the top end of League One, with a mixture of established experience and emerging young talent.Ouma’s arrival fits into that strategy.

The option to make the transfer permanent also provides an indication of Charlton’s confidence in the Kenyan midfielder. If he impresses during his loan spell, the English club could move to secure his services on a long-term basis.For Ouma, however, the immediate priority will be to adapt quickly.

English football is renowned for its pace, intensity and physical demands. League One provides a particularly competitive environment, with matches often played at a high tempo and little room for players to hesitate in possession.That challenge could prove invaluable for a midfielder who is still developing his game.

Ouma possesses the technical attributes required to thrive in England. His composure on the ball, vision and ability to operate in different midfield positions give him tactical flexibility. He can play as a central midfielder while also contributing in more advanced areas, making him an attractive option for a club seeking creativity.Regular football could also accelerate his development considerably.