Stronger and wiser
Talking Point š£ļø
The fog is taking a time to clear, but mostly because I had to endure a long journey back from Bermuda last night and I have to prepare for another early flight in the morning.
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Sep 14
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Charlton Athletic 1 Millwall 1
History always repeats itself, something always happens and it is a given in this game that Millwall will score late, and late they did.
The hurt continues and it will take a couple of days for the fog to clear and when it does it will show that we played very well and were the better team.
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Chuks signs for Shrewsbury
Chuks Aneke signed for Shrewsbury Town today, making him the last of the players released by the Addicks in the summer to get themselves sorted.
Thereās a really good interview, if you ignore the comments about Michael Appleton, with Chuks on the Shrewsbury website if you have five minutes.
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Transfer window
It was quite nice watching last Mondayās transfer deadline pass without having expectations of loads of last minute signings, although whatever happened to David Datro Fofana was a slight dissapointment, if it ever was a thing. Weāll probably never know.
Weāve had so many last minute signings that have turned out to be crap at best, that itās so much more comforting having new players in the building early in the window. Jonesā stance on loans also means we are not scrapping around in the Premier League academy barrel hoping that the next young hopeful turns out to be Conor Gallagher.
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A two week wait
Itās been a long weekend without football hasnāt it.
I found myself refreshing over and over the Charlton Womenās score earlier, and thrashed the air with delight after they hung on with 10 women, to beat Crystal Palace 1-0 in the WSL2 season opener at The Valley.
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Zach Mitchell moves to Hibs on loan
It appears this deal was in the hands of FIFA to get approval.
Today 20-year old Zach Mitchell made the loan move back north of the border to Edinburgh and will play the season with Hibernian on loan.
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Addicks arrive in Bermuda
A big night in Bermuda tomorrow as Charlton might have chartered their own airplane to bring Karoy Anderson, Tyreece Campbell, Kaheim Dixon and Amari Bell to the Atlantic outpost.
Bermuda host Jamaica at the Dame Flora Duffy National Sports Centre (photo) tomorrow evening in Group B of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifier.
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David Datro Fofana
Lots of confusion tonight surrounding Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana, but it does look as if the loan move to Charlton has fallen through as the EFL never received the transfer ādeal sheetā in time.
This move really fell under the radar, and Charlton nor the clubās most-in-the-know journo, Rich Cawley have even commented on the 22-year oldās potential late move.
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James Bree signs on loan from Southampton
Southamptonās James Bree has joined on loan until January.
The 27-year old Breeās versatility will appeal to Nathan Jones. He will solve, temporarily at least, the need for more depth at right (wing) back, and can also play at centre-half.
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Micah Mbick moves to Colchester on loan
This window closing at 7pm is a bit of a joke really as Sky Sports despite saying this is the biggest transfer window since the partition of India, still has about 30 deals listed to be completed. Apparently 9pm is the ārealā deadline.
They of course donāt even include clubs like Charlton and others in their bed wetting.
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Queens Park Rangers 3 Charlton Athletic 1
I think that was a warning call today. We didnāt deserve to lose that match, from 60 mins on we looked the most likely to win, but we left Loftus Road with our tail between our legs.
I think us fans need to remember the ultimate goal here. Possibly our surprise element has been exhausted, we have to be better, and we have to learn quicker but for long periods as the away side we still had the upper hand.
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Steve Thompson RIP
This is really sad news to wake up to today.
Steve Thompson, or Rambo as he was affectionately known, has lost his long battle with cancer aged 70. Steve was part of Lennie Lawrenceās brilliant promotion side when we were in exile at Selhurst Park.
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Cambridge United 3 Charlton Athletic 1
I am about as least worried by exiting the League Cup than I have been for many seasons. The phrase we need to concentrate on the league is just.
I didnāt listen or pay any real attention but it did not sound good.
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Jesurun Rak-Sakyi
Well, it is the last week of the transfer window and if itās silly season in Wrexham, then why not in Charlton Village.
Some Addicks have suggested that JRS is a remote possibility of a last minute loan signing and he would meet Nathan Jonesā criteria of someone than can considerably improve or add real competition to the squad.
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Reflections
Talking Point š£ļø
The problem with these early kick offās is that it leaves a long time for reflection. 12.30 is 7.30am here, and thatās a lot of day to wallow, sulk, or be grumpy. Just ask the missus.
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Charlton Athletic 0 Leicester City 1
We were going to lose at some point, and if youāre going to lose, then lose like that.
It was another excellent display of sheer determination, aggressive pressing and quality not only matching but eclipsing our exalted opponents, but the winning goal was straight out of the Premier League and separated the two teams.
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Kanu moves to Walsall on loan
20-year old striker Daniel Kanu has joined Walsall on a season-long loan. I peg this as a really important move for Dan. Hopefully he gets plenty of game time leading to him being a real threat in League Two for The Saddlers.
Nathan Asiimwe clearly benefited from his time under Mat Sadler and Nathan Jones and his coaching team must trust their peers at Walsall.
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Another big crowd expected
Back at The Valley on Saturday with another big crowd expected. Leicester have sold out their allocation. The attendance will certainly be bigger than the last time we hosted the Foxes almost exactly 12 years ago, when Yann scored against his old club.
Crazy to think that just two seasonās after that Leicester won the Premier League title.
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One more signing
“What we probably want to do is add, at least one body. We know the position we need it. Maybe to do that, we want to make sure our numbers are good.ā – Nathan Jones today.
A right wing back I reckon, possibly waiting to pounce with a low-ball offer for Japanese player Shinnosuke Fukuda, who halfway through their season his club Kyoto are demanding a large fee even though his contract expires in January.
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Alex Mitchell moves to Plymouth on loan
Alex Mitchell has moved to Plymouth Argyle on loan for the season.
A very likable and a solid, non-compromising centre half, still only 23 Alex will do a good job for Argyle and I hope he gets plenty of game time.
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Bristol City 0 Charlton Athletic 0
I really enjoyed that. Throughly deserving of a point, and perhaps could even have snatched all three as we again finished the stronger of the two sides.
Some superb individual performances all across the pitch, but it was a stoic team showing that gave the noisy travelling Addicks something to be really proud off.
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Kaheim Dixon moves on loan to Crawley
This looks a good move for Kaheim Dixon. The youngster will move to Crawley Town for the season to play under Scot Lindsay in L2.
Thatās four players now out on season-long loans – Nathan Asiimwe (AFC Wimbledon), Terry Taylor (Northampton), Gassan Ahadme (Stevenage) and Dixon.
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Ahadme out, and Dr Abbott moves on
It was this weekās Carabao Cup opposition Stevenage that have taken Gassan Ahadme on loan, with negotiations concluded on Tuesday after the striker was left out of the Addicksā squad.
Ahadme ends a tough first year at The Valley by moving on a season loan to Stevenage.
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Drawn away at Cambridge
Cambridge United will be our opposition in the Carabao Cup 2nd Round, drawn tonight.
We faced the Uās in pre-season and in each of the last four L1 seasons.
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Charlton Athletic 3 Stevenage 1
Into the hat, mission accomplished and it was a pretty decent display.
Nathan Jones made eleven whole changes but players got minutes, and youngsters got exposure, no more so than Ibrahim Fullah, who was excellent.
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James Brayne headhunted
Charltonās set piece and first team coach James Brayne is leaving the club to take up a role with Sunderland.
James joins RĆ©gis Le Brisā backroom staff ahead of the 2025-26 Premier League season to lead their first-teamās set-piece coaching.
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Stepping up
Talking Point š£ļø
We all know it was only the first game, and there are 45 to play, but Iām still wallowing a little bit from Saturdayās win over Watford. Back to earth tomorrow though when we host Stevenage in the Carabao Cup, and whilst we hadnāt played Watford since 2015, this is our 7th meeting with Stevenage in less than three years.
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Dave Thomson walk
A little plug for Heather Thomson, daughter of Dave/ Drinking During the Game/ Cardinal Sin.
This September Heather is walking the 30 miles of Londonās Green Link route from Epping Forest to Peckham and back again with her friend Tom in support of Cancer Research UK.
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Terry Taylor moves to Northampton on loan
Terry Taylor has gone back to Northampton Town, where he had a very successful loan in the second part of last season.
Terry will spend the season at Sixfields. This is the final year of his Addicksā contract.
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Charlton Athletic 1 Watford 0
What a way to win a season opener. So many trademarks from last season in that performance and it was great to see Nathan Jones push for the win in the last part of the game and not be content with a point
I was grateful that my Qatar Airways WiFi held out and the game was a joy to watch and a very noticeable step up in quality.
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Godden again
Rich Cawley has found out a little more on the summer absence of Matt Godden in an interview with Nathan Jones.
āIt was a minor procedure on the knee, just a clean-up type of thingā that has kept last seasonās top scorer out of pre-season. (more)
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Same challenge, different feeling
Two more sleeps, and how are you feeling? Optimistic? Nervous? Restless?
We have to be excited donāt we. After some desperate years we all deserve that feeling. The club has laid a terrific foundation for all Addicks to have something to believe in, and that for me has always been the core principle of being a Charlton fan, and that hasnāt always been easy.
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Christopher Ward
I am a self confessed āwatch guyā but havenāt yet been convinced to splash out on a Christopher Ward model.
However, now the Anglo-Swiss watchmaker have signed a six-figure, multi-year partnership with the club, I might be tempted.
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Transfer pause
This week was always going to be quiet on the transfer front. Jim Rodwell needs to refill his biro and give his phone a rest and Nathan Jones will be hard at it on the training field.
9 signings by the start of August has been phenomenal work, and whilst it is right to reason that not all 9 will be terrific, the ideology of strengthening key positions with a cross of experience and potential is to be applauded.
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Jorge Costa RIP
What absolutely terrible news breaking today from Portugal. Jorge Costa reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest at the Portoās training ground in Portugal and died later in hospital.
Jorge was only 53 and a legend at Porto. He was their director of football.
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Wah gwaan
Third kit drop today and as anticipated it has a Jamaican feel to it, although the club donāt actually tie the two together in the promo stuff.
The 3rd change kit features āa striking charcoal base, complemented by a yellow, green and black trim on the cuffs and the collar. Yellow and green strips alternate down each side of the shirt, continuing through the shorts.ā
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Gas flickers, Leaburn dowsed
Gassan Ahadme scored twice and couldāve had a third in the final run out of the season today, but he did do it against his favourite opposition.
Still it was a nice surprise and will do him no harm. Sonny Carey was the other scorer in the 3-0 win at Southend.
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Harvey Knibbs does become an Addick
Never in any doubt š.
Not sure what that was all about but welcome to The Valley Harvey Knibbs signed for an undisclosed fee tonight on a 4-year deal.
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Knibbs deal off
According to reports from Reading, Charlton have pulled out of a deal to sign Harvey Knibbs.
A fee of Ā£1.8m was agreed and Knibbs was apparently at the training ground this week, so a little mysterious and a lot disappointing.
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No new CEO
After a few weeks of speculation Gavin Carter today put on record that the club and Dane Murphy have mutually agreed that he will not be taking up the role of Chief Executive Officer, as previously announced.
Murphy may or may not have been the right person to lead the club forward, but it is best that everyone moves on.
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Nathan Asiimwe to Dons on loan
Thatās a good move for Nathan, playing a level higher up than he was at Walsall the second half of last season.
Asiimwe has joined Jackoās League One side AFC Wimbledon on a season-long loan.
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Itās coming back home
What do you say. Give Thomas Tuchal a few more games and then hand the job to Sarina?
Whatever you say about her tactics, decision making and subs that is an unbelievable record. Congratulations to her, an honorary English woman as thereās ever been and well done the players, the first ever English football team to win a major final overseas.
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Charlie Kelman signs
A Sunday signing.
Charlie Kelman has signed from Queens Park Rangers on a 4-year deal for an undisclosed fee, which apparently was in excess of Ā£3m, rising to Ā£5m with a ton of add-ons.
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Kelman and Knibbs
K&K. Well, at least it seems one K.
QPR and Charlton today reached an agreement for the transfer of Charlie Kelman according to top level transfer guru Fabrizio Romano. Of course the much more reliable and down to earth source Rich Cawley is now carrying this story as well.
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Trialist B
Joe Bennett has been training with Charlton and for the first time he put on a red matchday shirt today appearing as a 60th minute substitute in the 1-1 draw at Cambridge.
Bennett is a free agent and could provide both cover at left-wing-back plus add an experienced head and good counsel to the younger players in the dressing room next season.
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Bolton interested in Ahadme
Rich Cawley is reporting that Bolton Wanderers have approached the Addicks to discuss options for Gassan Ahadme.
Bolton manager Steven Schumacher has made it a priority to sign a striker and that could be Ahadme.
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Dexter Lembikisa
Was the name of the young man labelled āTrialistā in tonightās team sheet at Wealdstone, a game the Addicks won 3-0.
Lembikisa came on at the 60 minute mark as Nathan Jones shuffled his pack and fitted in at right centre back, even though heās meant to be a right-wing-back.
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Shinnosuke Fukuda
Hereās a name to conjure with. Sourced by the Daily Mail, according too them we have had an offer turned down for Japanese defender Shinnosuke Fukuda.
This one will confuse those Addicks that think we only do our scouting in Bedforshire, but the 24-year Fukuda plays for Kyoto in the J League
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What else is required?
Seven players signed. The club has been quick, strategic and quite stealth like in the summer window.
I always want to see what these guys will be like in a red shirt, but on paper the squad looks much stronger and deeper than it was the day after the play-off final.
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Lewis Miller
Onto the next one, then. North of the border there are suggestions led by Sky Sports that Charlton and Blackburn have had Ā£1m bids turned down by Hibernian for right back Lewis Miller.
The 24-year old Australian is a regular for his national side, and Hibs triggered an contract extension for 12 months back in April.
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Rob Apter signs
Rob Apter has arrived on his bike in Slovenia to become Nathan Jonesā 7th summer signing.
The 22-year old has signed on a 4-year deal for a fee officially undisclosed, but unofficially Ā£2m plus add-ons.
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Exciting times
Itās exciting, right?
Six years ago in the exact same position we had just convinced Jason Pearce and Jonny Williams to sign new contracts, this only after Roland Duchatelet did a u-turn over Lee Bowyerās contract. Joe Aribo had just left and Duchatelet was behind our backs negotiating to cash in on Anfernee Djiksteel.
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Tracey Leaburn to leave Charlton
Well, thatās a real shame.
Charlton Athletic can confirm that Head of Menās First-Team Player Care Tracey Leaburn will leave the club next month after 10 years of dedicated service (more).
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Joe Rankin-Costello in the door
And aboard Sundayās flight to Slovenia. Question is will anyone else new be at Gatwick to join the squad.
Joe Rankin-Costello becomes Nathan Jonesā 6th summer signing after signing from Blackburn Rovers for an undisclosed fee but said to be in the Ā£750,000 bracket.
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Rob Apter
Iām liking this rumour. A lot of upside if it happens. Apparently we are ālining up a moveā for Blackpoolās Rob Apter.
A right wing back who can play high up the pitch, skillful, tricky, assists, goals, an old fashioned winger crossed with a disciplined defensive virtue.
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Joe Rankin-Costello
Itās a little short on rumours round here, so hereās one to throw into the mix.
According to some sources Blackburn Roversā Joe Rankin-Costello is subject to a Ā£750,000 bid from the Addicks. The 25-year old is a right-wing-back that can invert into central midfield.
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Reece Burke joins
If Reece Burke can stay fit then he will be a hell of a signing. How often have we *insert name* said that in previous seasons?
Reece Burke today completed his signing from Luton on an undisclosed fee. He has signed a 2-year contract plus a year club option.
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Miles Leaburn signs new contract
āWe feel we have real unfinished business with myself and Miles together.” – Nathan Jones.
A little bit out of the blue this, but today Charlton locked Miles Leaburn down to a new 3-year contract. His old one was due to expire next summer.
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Gordon Jago RIP
I only mentioned Gordon Jago the other day in my Having a beer with Keith Peacock post, but sadly the club have announced his passing today aged 92.
Jago played for the Addicks between 1954 and 1962 and went on to manage Millwall and QPR, succesful at both, but at Loftus Road he was widely recognized as being responsible for building the foundations of the famous Rangersā side of the 70ās that Dave Sexton inherited from him.
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Reece Burke
Rich Cawley has thrown another name into the Hattersā¦. see what I did there?
Reece Burke was another player that Nathan Jones signed for Luton Town that went on to look comfortable in the Premier League.
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Having a beer with Jorge Costašŗ
2ļøā£1ļøā£ I enjoyed writing my 20 Players and 20 Places series last year, so Iām off again this time to celebrate 21 years of blogging and Iām picking Addicks from my time as a supporter that I would love to join for a beer or any adult beverage of their choice.
Break some bread, chew the cud, ruminate over the old days, the pleasure would be all mine.
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Gillesphey rewarded with new contract
I missed yesterday Macaulay Gillesphey nipping in at the far past to meet a new contract head on.
Iām pleased about this, very well deserved. Gillesphey signed a fresh 2-year contract plus a club option of a year.
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