Charlton Athletic 1 Oxford United 0
A huge win.
It was at times a draining game to watch, but there was also plenty to enjoy. Lot’s of positive performances and we showed all the aggression and defensive bravery that heralded our start to the season.
Rob Apter got a start at left wing back instead of Fullah, Campbell was on the bench alongside the bright sight of Charlie Kelman, who finished our goal scoring hero. Anderson again started.
The beginning to both half’s were similar and most of the play was in our half mostly due to Oxford winning throw-in’s and hurling them into our box.
Equally in both periods it was us that became the dominant team, with Leaburn a massive influence throughout. Jones had clearly given him a midweek pep-talk after doubts started to surface about his abilities at this level, and he had one of his most influential ever games.
He was immense in the air, clever on the floor and his all round intelligence meant he was pivotal in so much of our attacking pressing and movement.
Sonny Carey had his best game for a while running at defenders in the space between the centre circle and the penalty area. He really should have got on the scoresheet.
Coventry was at his best, stopping attacks, sweeping up, and moving us into attacking phases and Anderson was smart again in the way that he played.
Olaofe is one of those players that does a lot more than you see (especially on screen). I like his energy, but defensive qualities are lacking.
Kaminski didn’t have an awful lot to do, but he made me nervous. Those in front of him though were flawless. Lloyd Jones was brilliant, Ramsey even better and Gillesphey excellent. Let us only hope that Ramsey’s injury is not serious. It was the only negative from today.
I liked Apter at LWB, he defended well, and does like to take his man on and have a pop at goal. Is he possibly this season’s Thierry Small and we’ve happened upon his most valuable position for the team? Bree was another that had his best game for many weeks.
The 2nd half was reminiscent of so many of our games under Jones. We really started to turn the screw, played with real aggression and it felt like we had that winning goal in us. The Valley rose to the occasion again as well.
The goal was excellent when it came. Carey’s run through the middle, Campbell to Coventry, and back to Campbell who threaded a lovely ball into Kelman who turned and finished. Everything we’d hope to see from the striker.
Jones’ game changers were back as well. Campbell frightens the life out of tiring defenders, Docherty played a big part, Kelman was the match winner and 19-year old Keenan Gough got his league debut.
Oxford were not Coventry, Southampton or Middlesbrough and possibly the worst team we have played so far on this journey, but these are the games you have to win, and we did.
🎙️ “We had game changers that came on and affected the game, we played front footed, we kept a clean sheet, and the crowd were magnificent.” – Nathan Jones
⭐️ Miles Leaburn
🏟️ 19,594 (2,261 from Oxford)
📸 Paul Edwards
One we just had to win to be able to stabilise and then move forward, and we did! Kelman’s goal was beautifully taken.
A vital three points tucked away. Overall a better performance than of late, but it was V Oxford.
I was pleased to see TC was on the bench again as I think he works much better coming on as a sub (game changer) and delighted for Charlie Kelman to come back in the side and score the goal
Recently there have been rumours of unrest in the camp. I was wondering if those rumours were around Leaburn, his performances of late have been poor. However today he was back to his best. Perhaps some talking/counselling has gone on behind the scenes.
I’m still hoping for reinforcements in the January window. Loans could cover the gaps if NJ can get over his aversion to them.
These rumours. I don’t hear anything like this at all. Kelman certainly didn’t talk as if there is any unrest in the camp.
Take it from me …No unrest in the camp to squash unfounded rumours !!!
Yes, and also seeing posts about it was only Oxford!!
There are simply no easy fixtures in this amazing League, and on their day, anyone can beat anyone.
TBF Oxford is one of those teams, and they have established themselves in this division and yes, they were getting some great results or draws.
Well done to CAFC on Saturday, and 2 more positive results would really cap off a magnificent 2025.
IMHO I cannot see Norwich being down there for too long, but the fact is and yes they and other teams are getting results.
The win was absolutely crucial, considering quite a few teams won over the weekend/
We know where we are lacking and still the obvious ones and not at all sure about our present No1 and would prefer to have Manning to have a chance!!
So Merry and Peaceful Christmas to you all and CAFC just need 2026 the same as 2025.
CA. well done on your superb blogs and the supporters who contribute so much.
This is a quote from NJ previewing the Birmingham match and following the death of ‘headphones Norm’
“Saturday was an unprecedented day for the football club,” said Jones. “It’s been emotional, tough and it’s been a test. It’s coincided with internal issues, injuries and against a tough run of fixtures, it’s been a difficult.
Internal issues ??
Encouraging about Leaburn who has been a leading target of the armchair managers, as has Campbell, but it may be that he is better as an impact sub.
Leaburn had a much better game as for Carey that man is quality he reminds me of graham stuart in his playing years with us. The defenders were sublime as for Campbell this is what we ve being saying for weeks now bring him on in second half he has got so much energy whilst the others tire. Boxing day next my wife is a Norwich supporter so could be fun.. COYR
This could be difficult.You could be sent to Coventry. Lets hope you are,This could be overcome in a brief period of time , by perhaps a bunch of flowers,or a box of chocolates But the 3 points will be with us for the rest of the season We all honour and respect ,he who takes one for the team
One of those ‘had to win’ games and we did. Defence looked better yesterday than in past games, but lets remember we were playing against a less formidable side. Great to see Kelman get on the scoresheet, and he took his chance well. Let’s hope that instigates a turn in his fortunes for scoring opportunities. TC was once again better from the bench…..that has to be his position in future games. I have singled out Leaburn in past weeks as looking as though he’s uninterested, and labourious, but yesterday he looked better, almost back to his appearances for us in League One. On to Carrow Road on Boxing Day.
Pleased to see TC has silenced the boreing knockers at last .I hope the lad doesn’t feel like a demotion to come on .as a sub IMO he is an out and out winger at best Or attacking MF No way should he be expected to be a defender Or a prolific goal scoreig No 9 Keep on improving lad, Those boreing knockers are irritating., and hard to read
As a boring knocker, I have to say that having played a starting role in every game but two this season,and often as part of a front two, his contribution of no goals and one assist in nineteen games is not a good record, and questions his ability to have coped with the step up to Championship football. Yes, he is a talented young player, but at 22 he is still learning. The last two games prove he is more suited to an impact sub from the bench at this moment in time.
CA I think you had a glass to much of the good stuff before the game as we weren’t that great! 🙂 Lets be honest, Oxford were one of the poorest teams to come to the Valley this season and we really struggled to get out of our own half for quite a while.
The good news was to see Apter get a game at last and considering he was playing on his not usual side, did really well in his defending, had a great effort on target and put some good crosses in, but a unfortunately no one got to any on them!
Also great to see Kelman score and hope this will help his confidence and he will start to get quite a few more.
The two new players that really concern me are Kaminski, who still doesn’t command his area and miss punching that cross when catching the ball was easier, could have easily cost us. The other is Bree, NJ wax lyricals about him and is his first choice to try and sign in the transfer window, but he is no better than our average players who aren’t really good enough. He might have got a couple of good goals, but of late his corners have been dire and go waist height to the front post and his free kicks have not been so good either but the main issue is his defending! Considering he was brought in as a right wing back, anyone with any speed goes straight past him and he doesn’t chase back but just ambles back when beaten. Yesterday was a prime example several times when we were under pressure he put no effort into really chasing backing to help out and I was not alone in seeing that. Also check
the Stoke game both of Stokes goals which came from crosses from their winger, Bree got nowhere near to even getting a foot in try and block the either cross and also the Coventry game, I think their second goal, when Bree was easily beaten again but made absolutely no effort to chase after the player, which resulted in a goal with Lloyd Jones furious and shouting at him!
Unfortunately NJ still wants to surround himself with ex Luton &/or previous players he has managed, who also are all on the highest wages, little wonder why there were some rumours of unrest in the camp, especially when it the much lower paid better players who are currently keeping us still afloat this season!
Lets just hope come the transfer window, NJ will finally see the light, that apart from Godden and Bell, his ex players are past it now and just not good enough and he takes advice and looks elsewhere.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas CA and a Happy New Year and any further investment in the squad is made wisely and we will hopefully see some more entertaining football and be above the bottom three come the end of the season.
Finally someone who understands how football works.
We are crap and these players are still league1 players. NJ is clearly clueless and picks the wrong players. We need Kanu back now, he will get goals that neither our strikers can do.
Apter is quality and needs to play every week, AMB is quality and should be playing to. Alex Mitchell is more better than Bree and should be playing. Bree is rubbish totally agree with you Mike. We need proper championship players and need to spend like Wrexham and Birmingham. That Leicester lad who scored against us looked good, he should be our target in January. We need Doughty back too and get that Braithwaite here as well. The board needs to splurge on players get a new manager and move us forward. We can get promoted if they are interested.. if not then we need new owners as well.
Totally agree with you Mike..
I guess we all see and hear what we want to see and hear. I appreciate the difference of perspectives as it makes for healthy debates.
Personally I thought Apter was given the runaround in the opening 30 minutes by a player who was coming back from a long injury. He still looks weak defensively but he was playing on the different side and got better as the game progressed.
Oxford were not good, lots of long balls and throw ins but we stood up to them. Of course there will be always so half chances created by the opposition as that’s the game. Our keepers punch was curious when it looked easier to catch.
I was pleased with Leaburn’s performance and he had needed to step up as simply we have no-one else. I would like him to anticipate more, as we do have some good delivers of the ball in the side, ( sorry Mike) like Bree.
It was always going to be scrappy and it was.. 2 sides in run of defeats and confidence was low. We seemed to lack confidence in the final third in the first half, but Olafe needs to score them and Carey was unlucky not to get on scoresheet. He looked better yesterday, but he has been asked to play different roles ( as many have) due to the injuries. I was delighted for Kellman and thought he was good, that finish was good, championship level. We have missed his press and movement. Jones is a mountain at the back and his levels of performance are very consistent.
TC is a good player and he is better than just sitting on the bench. He does impact from the bench and players need to be rested as well. I think when we sign a left sided player in January he will be able to get further forward. Looks more confident now. There are always rumours flying around, even in the Curbs PL days, rumours were flying about.. personally I don’t give them much time, as very few of us know what happens on the training ground. Yes players will be unhappy if they are not playing but that nothing new and will always be the case.
So as matter as of prospectives, this time last year we had just thrashed Northampton 5-0, were midtable in league one.
We have come along way in a short time, we are 8 pts clear of Oxford, some players coming back, there is a lot to be positive about as we all enjoy our Christmas activities with our family and friends.
I wish everyone on here a very merry Christmas and best wishes for 2026. I am still optimistic about our season and that still remains the main goal.
Hi CA, I agree Kaminski makes me nervous, but also appears nervous himself. I thought we played well overall although not to the standard prior to the hiccups. I thought Apter did well playing as a wing back, although he is clearly an out and out winger, but he enjoys beating the players in front of him and is a decent passer and crosser of the ball. Pleased Leaburn got going on Saturday and did some good work on the day up and down the pitch.
TC almost got a goal when he cut in and hit a decent shot just wide, again best suited as a winger at present. A nice surprise seeing Kelman in the lineup and played well with a cracking goal. Carey as seems most outings had another good game. We’re not up to standard yet, but are getting there, so lets not knock the players while the are improving.
A merry Xmas and a Happy New Year to all.
A massive win after that run of one point from 18, another defeat and to a team below us and we’d be discussing whether we are in a relegation battle or not.
The team worked hard collectively but we needed that goal and spark of magic and Charlie Kelman showed why he was signed and what we’ve missed without him and also Matty Godden.
Oxford were poor and we needed to beat them to put a bit of distance between ourselves and the relegation spots…but we shouldn’t judge ourselves too highly on getting past a team that are low on morale and possibly heading for L1.
The transfer window opens in a few days….we need some fresh blood in the door.
You are so right about Godden and we are all wondering if he will be playing at all in 2026 and have posted several times, without his goals and TBF also Gillespie’s and Berry’s goals we would not be in this Championship this season.
Yes the defense was super too, but everyone involved with that too.
3 points and nearer to staying in this league….Kelman scored a great goal and at last we got a win….
Santa has sorted out two now my wishes….no Da Silva and Lampard maybe banished from the dug-out for the Coventry game new years day…..Coventry have a case of the wobbles and a good time to meet them.
May I wish you CA and all contributers a very happy Christmas and 2026 to come…..COYRs
I’m just back from watching Charlton women beating Nottingham Forest 2-1 to stay unbeaten so far this season and top of WSL2……one of the best games I’ve watched to date.
I think finishing 21st would be a massive achievement for a club with the lowest budget and first year back in the Champ. Hopefully our owners will see our potential and support NJ in the January window.