Charlton Athletic 3 Stoke City 1
I love this team. Lee Bowyer’s team. Well, team’s because this is the second one he has had to build. Bowyer and his coaching team, and not forgetting miracle worker Steve Gallen, have put together a group of players of such energy and gusto. They are almost rewriting the ‘Charlton way’. Look at that picture of Conor Gallagher. He’s only been here just over a week. The personality of this team is to die for. It really is.
If Blackburn was a test of where we find ourselves then today was a test of how we can compete in this division. Sure there were moments when we were sloppy in possession and we rode our luck a couple of times when Stoke missed chances they perhaps should’ve scored. But, from the commentary anyway, we played with a real zest and purpose. We took our chances and put bodies on the line.
I said the other day that Lyle Taylor defines this team. He didn’t appear to miss a beat today, and scored, and made an assist. Bowyer and Jackson are young enough to understand what he went through this week. That’s going to still be important.
I can’t wait to watch Conor Gallagher in the flesh. He sounds a player. Jonathan Leko appeared to be everything that Bowyer described him as, and had a very good debut. Josh Cullen was back pulling the strings, Jonny Williams belongs in this division.
Bowyer as he does more and more often, changed formation mid-game. That takes vision and bravery, and he has players now that can help him do that. Chuks Aneke came off the bench and scored. Can’t ask for more than that.
Leader Jason Pearce again sounded excellent. Pratley tireless, the full backs 7/10.. it’s Purrington’s middle name.
Today was an awesome result, Stoke under Nathan Jones still seem a work in progress, but they are stocked of proper good Championship players. It’s been a quite a week. Sleep well tonight Lee.
Addicks at The Valley: Addicks Championship Diary; Doctor Kish;
Bow: “But he said: ‘No. I’m ready – I want to play. I’m here to score goals and win games’. He was no different – he gave me and the team everything. It was just like another Lyle Taylor day, wasn’t it?”
Elsewhere: Sheffield Wednesday are the other team to win both of their games. They beat Barnsley in the Yorkshire derby 2-0. Cardiff got a late winner to beat Luton 2-1, Blackburn lost again, at Fulham, Hull beat Reading 2-1, Preston beat Wigan 3-0 and Brentford won at Middlesbrough, for whom Djiksteel came on as a 2nd half sub. The other games were all draws with Millwall getting a good point at WBA. Karlan Grant scored for Huddersfield in their share of the spoils with QPR.
Photo: @K_AndrewsPhotos
Chicago Addick 
Hi there, if you get sick of hearing from me just let me know, witnessed a great moment at the end of the game yesterday, no big earphones, not about zillions of pounds, no ask my agent, not about imaging rights.
We had a young lad called Conor Gallagher playing as you know, great looking lad, so looks the part what a gem of a player 90 minutes of non stop energy plus some very clever tricks and a sublimely taken goal right out of the Ginola way, Well after a well taken round the pitch session of applause with the rest of the team instead of going down the tunnel he went to the front row of the west stand I was about 6 rows back and down the aisle came the Gallagher family, he first embraced his mother and they hugged she seemed close to tears, and then I assume his sisters the resemblance was so strong and last but not least hid dad, and the pride on that guys face, they had group photos done, and then some very elderly ladies bedecked in their Charlton garb shook the family’s hands and embarked on a really nice chinwag with the family, hope you see my point, it was normal, it was oh so natural, possibly it was oh so Charlton.
Very good performance yesterday. Welcome back Cullen great performance as usual. Gallagher impressed and got better throughout the game. Leko as Bowyer said is a raw talent and will be an handful for defenders. Pearce and Williams also very good.
The combination of Pearce and Lockyer worked but Stoke have a relatively small strike force, I think teams with taller strikers could give problems. Lockyer looks to be suited to play the right side of a back three. Sarr will be needed on such occasions so let’s hope he can put last Saturday’s performance behind him. We must improve our distribution from the back particularly at goal kicks. Stoke pressed us very well and Phillips came in for criticism from sections of the crowd. I think the defenders in front of him have to shoulder some of the blame and improve this aspect of the their game.
But all in all a very good work in progress considering their are other players waiting for their chance
rierti – I omitted to mention Lockyer in my ‘report.’ I’ve been noting the height of players we’ve brought in this summer. I liked the fact that we often lined up so tall and strong last season. Aribo, Bielik, Bauer were all 6ft plus. Parker too, late in the season. That’s not been replaced, in midfield anyway.
tombrowny – You are welcome here anytime 🙏
That is a great story. Sounds a very grounded young man.