Steve Avory does not envisage Aaron Henry and Charlie Barker needing to go out on loan to continue their development, it can be done at Charlton: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/young-charlton-athletic-duo-dont-need-loans-this-season-to-continue-their-playing-development/
Either of them could feature in the first team, at least from the bench. Barker has impressed in the past and has looked good in pre-season games.
Charlton will finish 3rd in League One this season, forecasts Four Four Two magazine. They comment: 'Owner Thomas Sandgaard isn't alone in his promotion ambitions, but the Addicks can back it up.'
The fan file is written by VOTV editor Rick Everitt and he cautiously forecasts a top six finish.
The Rickster says: 'Last season was a real wasted opportunity, but probably as much as we could have expected given the long-awaited resolution of the club's ownership in late September.'
'The big talking point among fans is our squad's depth, and whether it will be strong enough to deliver the very bullish predictions of new owner Thomas Sandgaard.'
The Ramsgate-based supporter warns: 'I won't be happy unless Charlton are promoted. League One has some very sizable clubs, whose fans will think the same, but we cannot afford to hang around at this level or the current positivity will dissipate.'
'Our most underrated player is Conor Washington. He impressed me last season, and we missed him when he wasn't available. Look out for centre back Charlie Barker, who in September made his debut at 17. Didn't look out of place. Our key player will be Jayden Stockley whose loan, now made permanent from Preston, proved better than his career record.'
'The best thing about matchday at Charlton is seeing the groups of home fans streaming down Floyd Road in the hour before kick off - whether or not they stop to buy Voice of the Valley.'
'The fans' opinion of the gaffer is that he defied expectations. Nigel Adkins only arrived in March, but quickly made an impression. He wasn't many supporters' first choice - maybe he should have been.'
Everitt issues a clarion call from his Isle of Thanet fastness: 'The one change I would make is that rebuilding support in Kent (and south-east London) is vastly more important and realistic for Charlton than looking overseas. Other clubs' fans don't know that we've got more fans 60 miles away on the coast than in London, barring the south-east boroughs.'
'The ground I'm most looking forward to visiting is Morecambe's on a November Tuesday. What's not to like? We've never played them.'
Before the game Crewe fans were offered a 20 per cent discount on cushions. Charlton used the cushion of the two goals they scored in the first half through Doughty and Washington to secure three away points in a victory at Gresty Road this afternoon.
Crewe signalled early intent with a shot just over the bar within the first minute from captain Ng.
Charlton went ahead on 24 minutes after a break down the right. A good ball from Gilbey enabled Doughty to put in a left footed shot along the ground which went into the bottom corner of the net.
Washington made it 2-0 on 42 minutes. After good headers from Purrington and Oshilaja he put in what might generously be described as a half volley. It was a scrappy goal, but they all count.
Indeed, it had been a scrappy first half, possibly not helped by a swirling wind at pitch level. The Charlton left had looked vulnerable at times. Crewe closed down Charlton in midfield and the Addicks were not very fluent, although they looked threatening going forward.
The Addicks were able to feed off Crewe's mistakes while the home side were not very accurate when they did have a half chance.
Half time: Crewe Alexandria 0, Charlton Athletic 2
At the beginning of the second half a deflected shot from Forster-Caskey drew a fingertip save from Jaaskelainen in the Crewe goal.
Amos made a good save on 58 minutes. On 60 minutes Williams, who was on international duty, replaced Lapslie.
Amos got a yellow card for time wasting when he delayed a goal kick because he thought Doughty might need a physio.
Crewe were livelier in the second part of the half with Kirk showing some quality in patches. Aneke replaced Washington. Doughty got a yellow card for a foul.
On 80 minutes a Crewe effort came off the crossbar and Amos punched it clear.
The four minutes added on were extended to six for a late Crewe free kick. Doughty was replaced by Morgan in time added on.
I'm not sure that Charlton's short corner routine worked well, you need a high skill level to bring them off.
Doughty would be my man of the match. Oshilaja put in some good defensive work and Barker did well at right back. Amos was in command of his area, but needs more work on his kicking out.
Charlton are 3rd in the tentative table. The Addicks had a bit more quality than their newly promoted opponents.
Sanguine supremo Lee Bowyer thought there was plenty of room for improvement: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/lee-bowyer-says-theres-still-room-for-improvement-after-charlton-claim-opening-day-win-at-crewe/
He said: 'We played okay. I expect us to be a lot, lot better than that.' Bowyer praised Conor Washington's hard work and revealed why Charlie Barker was played at right back: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-boss-lee-bowyer-praises-goalscorer-connor-washingtons-hard-work-at-crewe-and-reveals-why-charlie-barker-was-played-at-right-back/
Tireless journalist Louis Mendez is currently locked in at Gresty Road.
Sandgaard has extended his stay in the UK by five more days. Initial plan was eight days (reports Richard Cawley of the SLP). He was at Swindon Town today.
You can see a transcript of the Radio London interview Thomas Sandgaard gave to Louis Mendez here: https://www.castrust.org/2020/09/sandgaard-injunction-is-minor-nuisance/
Charlton have reached the second round of the Football League Cup for the first time since 2017, beating Swindon 3-1. Bonne put Charlton ahead at half time. 17 year old Charlie Barker scored on his second start for the club.
George Lasplie made his 50th Charlton appearance.
In the 90th minute Aneke powered his way in from the right and slammed a low shot into the back of the net
