Bowyer gutted for defender

Andre Green is a doubt for Saturday's crucial game against Reading says sombre supremo Lee Bowyer.  He also talks about injury ravaged Lewis Page whose days with the Addicks are coming to an end: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-striker-an-injury-doubt-for-reading-match-addicks-boss-gutted-for-defender/

Green doubtful for Saturday

Andre Green has a knee problem and could miss the match against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday: Key attacker could be missing

Sam Field also has a knee problem and is seeing West Brom's doctor in London.

Fulham were the big Championship spenders

Total Championship clubs’ gross transfer expenditure for January 2020 was £37m, more than half of January 2019 expenditure (£60m), reports Deloitte Sports Business. Fulham (£24m) were the Championship’s biggest spenders, spending c.65 per cent of the total Championship gross transfer expenditure in order to strengthen their squad in a push towards promotion to the Premier League.

This is the first transfer window I can recall in which Leamington spent more than Charlton, having used some of the money they obtained from player sales to the Football League. I think that Charlton's strategy of taking players on loan was the right one.

Andre Green has attracted praise for the Addickted for his skill and commitment and could well be a summer target. A lot depends, however, on whether Villa stay up. A return to a Premier League side, even as a bench warmer, could be attractive, while if they are relegated Villa will be more willing to offload players.

Financial fair play

Charlton also have to keep financial fair play regulations in mind, although at the moment we should have plenty of head room.

Andy Turner, partner at Mercer & Hole, told Accountancy Daily: ‘There has been speculation that the activity in this, most recent, transfer window is down to the impact of Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules with clubs looking closely at budgets and finance and the need to balance the desire for success with compliance with the rules. The main fair play regulation is centred around the club not exceeding a certain level of loss. A club can influence its profit by either increasing its revenues or reducing its costs.'

However, creative accounting is available: ‘There is a degree of flexibility as to how a company can quite legitimately draw up financial statements that comply with the regulations.This includes management decisions around player acquisitions, amortization (lowering the book value over a set period) of players and specific judgement areas, such as the magnitude of certain provisions or reserves that could significantly affect the financial results of a club.'

‘As a result, we have seen an increase in the number of loan signings with an option to buy and clubs investing in younger talent for the future.’

'It's the result that matters'

That was the reaction of Steve from Petts Wood after Charlton ground a 2-1 win over fellow relegation strugglers Barnsley at The Valley to go up to 19th in the Championship. They were pretty much Lee Bowyer's sentiments too. Read his comments on the game here: Players were a bit rusty

After a first half in which the Addicks were dominant and went 2-0 ahead, the Tykes came out of the traps in the second half and eventually got a goal back. They maintained the pressure and Charlton were forced back too much, but held on, even through the six minutes added on. They had difficulty keeping hold of the ball.

Particularly in the first half, Barnsley resorted to constant fouling and one of their number was fortunate not to get a second yellow. Their manager got a yellow in time added on and one northern charm merchant got a yellow card after the game ended for abusing the referee.

Barnsley found themselves behind inside the first 10 minutes as Taylor reacted quickest as the ball dropped in the box from a Jason Pearce free kick and he scored a poacher's goal. Andersen's header forced Charlton keeper Dillon Phillips into a brilliant save and Aapo Halme hit the outside of the upright with a follow-up effort.

Green's goal just before half time left the Tykes with a lot to do in the second half but Woodrow struck the crossbar after Andersen's initial shot rebounded off Phillips, before scoring after a quick break by Luke Thomas.

I have only just heard about Green's grandad: respect to him for playing, and playing well, and also for acknowledging his grandfather.

Jacob Brown also hit the bar as the Tykes pressed for an equaliser, but their efforts were in vain as Charlton's new majority shareholder Tahnoon Nimer was able to savour three points on his first visit to The Valley.

Darren Pratley deserves really praise for his contribution, he covered every blade of grass and was serenaded by the Covered End. It was great to see Lyle Taylor and Jonny Williams in action. I enjoyed Lyle's 'I'm on fire' interview. Jake Forster-Caskey was disappointing when he came on as a substitute. Hemed also disappointed and nearly set Barnsley up for a second goal by giving the ball away at the other end.

We also messed up a promising free kick by playing it short rather than putting it in the box and allowing Barnsley to counter attack. Johnnie Jackson was beside himself.

Read the report from Louis Mendez here: Vital win

Although one should not really take pleasure in the pain of others, particularly on Candlemas, I have to admit that I was amused by the video of disgruntled Barnsley fans leaving in some chaos to the tune of the 'Red, Red Robin'.

Bowyer's Dubai pitch for Green

Andre Green met up with Lee Bowyer and goalkeeping coach Andy Marshall in Dubai last summer, but his heart very much remains with Aston Villa. Charlton were interested in him then, but Villa decided he should go to Deepdale where he had very little game time: Charlton's attempts to sign him last summer

'We had a good chat out there. I got to know a bit about the club. The reputation of the club progressing players was a definite attraction. You only need to look at players who were at Charlton and where they are now – Joe Gomez and Ademola Lookman. So many people have done well here.'

Sun baked supremo Lee Bowyer told him ‘"you’ll enjoy it here and we’ll make you a better player"’. I can already feel the positive benefit of being at the club and getting my football – I can build on it.'

Green did not fit in at Preston

New Charlton loan signing Andre Green duplicated existing talents at Preston and this is why he did not get much game time, leading Aston Villa to loan him to Charlton for the rest of the season: Alex Neil explains why Green is leaving Deepdale

Green is a 21-year old winger who came through the Aston Villa academy: Career details

Although it always seemed likely that any loan signing from a Premier League club would be of an under 23 player, some fans were perhaps expecting something more. However, in a tweet Green said that he was excited about the challenge ahead at Charlton.

CAS Trust asks Who is Andre Green?

Forest Green Rovers, who are in bad need of attacking players, have put in a £25k bid for Leamington striker Josh March which would probably be acceptable to the cash strapped Brakes, although sell on clauses have always been an issue.