Charlton Athletic

Amid the news that Sheffield Wednesday are set to be served a winding-up petition, the Owls will look to earn some positivity when they visit Charlton Athletic on Saturday (15:00 BST).

As it stands, the struggling side still have a chance of escaping the bottom three and could go as high as 19th with a win.

The petition is just the latest in a long line of turmoil at the club though, and with many fans choosing to forgo away trips in order to punish owner Dejphon Chansiri, Charlton may spy an opportunity to rise out of the mid-table and get closer to the top six.

• Charlton Athletic are winless in their last seven league games against Sheffield Wednesday (D1 L6), failing to score in six of those matches.

• Sheffield Wednesday have won two of their last three away league games against Charlton Athletic (D1), as many as in their previous eight visits (D3 L3).

• Charlton have won 14 of their last 18 home league matches (D3 L1), while in 2025 they have 12 home league wins – they last had more in a single year in 2019 (13).

• Sheffield Wednesday have conceded the most goals in the Championship this season (20) – it's the earliest into a league campaign (9 games) that they've conceded that many since 2012-13 (also 20 in first 9 games).

• James Bree has been involved in four goals in five Championship appearances this season for Charlton (2 goals, 2 assists) – he has a goal or assist every 89 minutes, the fourth-best ratio of any player with 300+ minutes for any side this season.

Image source, Getty Images

Midfielder Conor Coventry has been called up by the Republic of Ireland for Tuesday's 2026 World Cup qualifier with Armenia.

Charlton Athletic's Coventry replaces Josh Cullen, who is suspended after collecting his second booking of the campaign in Saturday's dramatic 1-0 defeat by Portugal.

Heimir Hallgrimsson's side have one point from three matches and were stunned 2-1 by Armenia in the reverse fixture in September.

The Republic know they must win in Dublin on Tuesday to have any realistic chance of finishing in the top two in Group F.

It was initially hoped that Celtic defender Liam Scales would join the squad following a family bereavement, but he will also miss the qualifier with Armenia.

The Football Association of Ireland said is passed on its "deepest sympathies to Liam and his family at this difficult time".

Image source, Getty Images

Charlton Athletic and Ipswich Town lead the manager and player of the month awards for September after both sides have remained undefeated and climbed up the Championship table.

Tractor Boys winger Jaden Philogene has been nominated for player of the month after finding the net four times across the side's three completed matches in September, including a hat-trick during their 5-0 drubbing over Sheffield United.

Charlton's James Bree bagged two goals and two assists over their four games to earn his nod.

Addicks boss Nathan Jones and Ipswich's Kieran McKenna both earn manager of the month nominations for their roles in their unbeaten months but face tough competition against Preston North End's Paul Heckingbottom and Queens Park Rangers' Julien Stephen.

Both also enjoyed an undefeated September, with Preston and QPR currently residing in the top six.

Sheffield Wednesday captain Barry Bannan and Hull City's Ollie McBurnie round out the player nominations.

McBurnie scored in each of the side's four games to produce five goals in September, while Bannan helped earn Wednesday five points with an opening goal in their first league win of the season against Portsmouth and two assists.

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham Hotspur are set to appoint Charlton academy manager Tom Pell into a leading position in their youth-set up.

Championship club Charlton last week confirmed that Pell would leave the club in December to take up a role at a Premier League side.

And BBC Sport understands Pell will join Spurs in the coming months where he will take up the role of head of academy operations and administration.

He will replace Danetta Powell, who is leaving Tottenham.

Pell was appointed as the Addicks' academy manager in May 2022, arriving from Cambridge where he spent 16 years.

Now, he will move across London to take up the senior position with Spurs' academy set-up.

Paul Sullivan
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

You know when they say - may the best team win? Well, they did.

Preston may have been fortuitous with their first goal with the contentious throw-in and a wicked deflection but overall it was a deserved win due to their overall dominance of play.

Going into the game, I must confess to having a sense of foreboding. We very rarely get anything up at Deepdale. I do remember one triumph - a 2-0 win following our relegation from the Premier League in 2007 with goals from Chinese international Zheng Zhi and Luke Varney.

PNE have already taken some notable scalps at home this season, defeating Leicester and Ipswich, who were both competing in the Premier League in 2024-25.

However, Hull did demonstrate in their previous game, you could get around their defence, but once again, our assorted collection of forward players failed to deliver.

It took a deflection off Kayne Ramsay following a shot from former Charlton player Thierry Small to break the deadlock.

It had to be Small, didn't it? Charlton fans never learn. If you goad a player, it can come back to haunt you. Just ask Macauley Bonne. Guess it's all part of our wonderful football banter.

Nathan Jones was rather perplexed when receiving a yellow card from referee James Linington at the final whistle, as he sought to book an appointment in the referees' room regarding the throw-in incident and also one or two other decisions.

There was no caution for me when I politely enquired his reasoning for sending off Christian Dailly in a match at Leyton Orient in 2010. I was introduced to him the following day on his home turf in the Isle of Wight at an FA Cup qualifying match between Newport IOW and Kidlington (groundhopping adventure). A most pleasant chap.

So, all in all, a bad day at the office. Tiredness, inclement weather, lack of fluidity, etc. Whatever it was, we can still be satisfied with our 12-point haul after nine games.

One aspect for Jones to ponder over the next fortnight in this international break, is whether to reshuffle our forward pack. Personally, I would favour Tanto Olaofe and Miles Leaburn.

One thing is for sure, Jones will not rest as he continually strives to evolve this south-east London sleeping giant.

Paul Sullivan provides commentary on Charlton Athletic games for the visually impaired.

Image source, Rex Features

Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones has said he feels "let down" by the officials at Deepdale following his side's 2-0 away loss to Preston.

Efforts from Thierry Small and Daniel Jebbison ended Charlton's four game unbeaten run but Jones felt aggrieved especially by Small's goal to which he felt there was a foul in the build up.

The former Southampton manager was booked at full time for confronting referee James Linington.

"They scored the first goal—forget the second, because we were trying to chase the game, changed shape, tried to go after it - but it's always going to be about the first goal.

"I got let down by a decision of the officials. They then went up the other side and scored, and that's my real disappointment.

On what he said to the referee at full time, Jones said: "Literally didn't say anything to him, but apparently, I'll get clarity on why I've been booked, because I don't know—I didn't say anything.

"I said, I'm going to come in and see you, [with] my arms at my side, no dissent, nothing at all about being booked. It's easy for them to do pretty much what they want.

"They can cost us a game or make decisions that contribute heavily to us losing, but I'm the one that gets punished—and double punished. So I'll go in and get clarity, because I have no idea why I've been booked."

These two sides have made bright starts to the Championship campaign with Preston unbeaten at home and Charlton having not lost in their past four matches.

• Preston North End have won each of their past four league games against Charlton Athletic, with this their first meeting with the London side since a 2-1 victory in January 2020.

• Charlton Athletic have won just one of their past 20 away league games against Preston North End since 1955 (D5 L14).

• Preston North End have kept two clean sheets in their past three Championship matches, as many as they kept in their previous 19 league games.

• Charlton Athletic have won just two of their past seven league matches (D3 L2), this after winning five of their six league matches prior to this run (L1).

• James Bree has been involved in 50% of Charlton Athletic's goals in the Championship this season (4/8), providing two assists and scoring two goals for the Addicks.

Charlton Athletic managing director Jim Rodwell says he is delighted with how the newly-promoted Championship side's summer player recruitment panned out.

The Addicks brought in 11 new faces after promotion from League One through the play-offs - and sit ninth in the table with a 12-point haul from eight games.

"It's been an immensely rewarding summer, but it's been incredibly hectic, incredibly busy," Rodwell told BBC Radio London.

"Clearly, we start off behind the eight ball [after the play-off final] but it's been good, we're incredibly privileged to be in this position and we wouldn't change it for anything.

"A lot of people worked incredibly hard last season to make this happen and this summer was testing, it was trying, but ultimately rewarding.

"We absolutely had two plans, a plan to play in League One and a plan to be in the Championship. We knew the players we wanted to sign, we had two budgets so we'd done the work, doing the work is the reasonably easy bit.

"We had a fixed plan, but you've got to execute it in less time you ordinarily might have done if you had won automatic promotion.

"I think we got promoted on a Sunday and I met [head coach] Nathan Jones on the Monday morning afterwards, with slightly sore heads in a cafe in Greenwich and that's when we started."

Listen to the full interview and more on BBC Sounds.

Paul Sullivan
Addicks fan writer

Image source, Rex Features

Cast your mind back to February 2024 when Charlton Athletic last visited Pride Park.

Nathan Jones had only recently joined us and the club were in a precarious position. There were real fears about relegation to League Two, but we chalked up an excellent 2-1 win after initially trailing, with goals from Alfie May and Karoy Anderson.

It kick-started our fortunes under Jones and here we were, back in Derby some 19 months later, competing in the upper echelons of the Championship.

So, after this 1-1 draw against the Rams, we are four matches unbeaten in this unforgiving league - a marvellous early autumnal run in September.

Our goal was a wonderful fusion of team play, allied with James Bree's superb composure, technique and execution.

By the way, where has he been hiding? He's just literally come into the building. We don't play 4-4-2 but he's all over it with 4-2-2. Four matches - two goals, two assists. What an impact!

However, Derby County have already demonstrated on a few occasions this season they can recover from being a goal behind and so it proved to Charlton's cost.

It was encouraging to see our new goalkeeper, Thomas Kaminski, forced into action, making two fine saves on the night.

It was also good to see Luke Berry back amongst our ranks, albeit as an unused substitute.

To counter this, Josh Edwards is to see a specialist concerning the ankle injury he sustained in the home win over Blackburn Rovers, which is a worrying sign.

To augment his consistent midfield performances, captain Greg Docherty is fast becoming Bree's personal goal assistant as the two combined in consecutive matches.

One concern is the extent to which we were on the back foot as Derby poured forward. We could face more of the same up at Preston on Saturday, so we need to find ways of wrestling the initiative off teams, particularly on our travels.

Despite this, we still had a couple of chances towards the end of the contest.

Us fans share Nathan Jones' "mixed emotions" as psychologically, it's always disappointing to relinquish a lead, especially as you start to reach the latter stages of the match.

My post-match musings rest on it being a fair result.

Paul Sullivan provides commentary on Charlton Athletic games for the visually impaired.

Image source, Rex Features

Charlton Athletic head coach Nathan Jones spoke to BBC Radio London after his side's 1-1 draw with Derby County:

"Relatively pleased. Any point on the road in the Championship is a good point.

"Once we've taken the lead we would have liked to have gone on and probably had a bit more control of the game but full credit to Derby, Derby gave it everything.

"They were playing with a front four, [they] left four up at times and had runners.

"Both sides had chances. They had a chance before they scored and then we had three late on that maybe could have nicked it.

"So there's mixed emotions but I'm happy that we haven't got beaten and it's another point on the board."

Image source, Opta

Derby go in search of their first home win of the campaign as Charlton head to Pride Park on Tuesday (20:00 BST).

Saturday's 1-1 draw at Wrexham made it five points from their past three away games for the Rams, but they have begun the season with a single point from three home games, and went down 1-0 to Preston in their most recent fixture in front of their own fans to extend their winless streak at home to six games, dating back to last season.

County are fourth-bottom with six points from seven games, five fewer than the Addicks, who sit seventh after back-to-back wins, at Sheffield United and then 3-0 at home to Blackburn on Saturday.

Nathan Jones' men have kept four clean sheets in their opening seven matches, including two in their three away games.

• Derby lost their last league meeting with Charlton 2-1 in February 2024, but haven't lost back-to-back league games versus the Addicks since January 1984.

• After their 2-1 win in February 2024, Charlton could win back-to-back away league visits to Derby for the first time since December 1962 (4 in a row).

• Derby have alternated between drawing (3) and losing (3) their past six home league games; they had won three in a row on home soil prior to this.

• Charlton have won four of their past seven away league games (D1 L2), beating Sheffield United 1-0 in their most recent.

• Charlton's Nathan Jones has only lost one of his seven previous managerial league games against Derby (W3 D3), falling to a 0-2 defeat with Luton in April 2021.

Paul Sullivan
Addicks fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

One week on from singing in the rain while Blackburn were left seething in it, Charlton fans left The Valley with even broader smiles and even fewer doubts.

A second consecutive win, this time a commanding 3–0 victory over Rovers, has injected real belief into the Addicks faithful.

Nathan Jones' side were absolutely relentless, with and without the ball, and did justice to the Latin motto on Blackburn's badge, Arte et Labore which translates as skill and hard work.

Only, it was Charlton who lived up to that mantra against a club who finished seventh in the Championship last season.

Defensively, the Addicks were rock solid. Blackburn failed to register a single notable effort that troubled Thomas Kaminski, thanks in no small part to a disciplined and united back line.

The injury to Josh Edwards could have been a disruption, but Macauley Gillesphey - the Wembley hero who has had to bide his time - stepped in seamlessly. And not only did he do his defensive duties with class, he marked his return with a goal, too.

Much has been made about the influx of ex-Luton players at Charlton under Jones, but the truth is simple - they're here on merit.

Their experience, character, and understanding of the manager's demands are clear to see.

In midfield, Sonny Carey has slotted in superbly alongside last season's stalwarts Greg Docherty and Conor Coventry.

That trio has created a tidal wave of energy and invention, allowing the front players, Tyreece Campbell, Charlie Kelman, Tanto Olaofe and Miles Leaburn, to flourish despite their lack of goals.

Carey, in particular, is fast becoming a fan favourite. He's now scored in back-to-back home games and brings a fearless swagger to the middle of the park.

With competition from the likes of Harvey Knibbs and Luke Berry, his performances are showing real maturity and intent. When his chance came in front of goal, there was no hesitation, just a cool, clinical finish. Passing wasn't on his mind.

This was a performance that oozed confidence from back to front. Three goals, a clean sheet, and a Valley crowd that acted as the 12th man throughout.

Charlton are showing they're here to compete, not just survive, in the Championship. Home or away, this side is fearless.

Long may that continue.

Paul Sullivan provides commentary on Charlton Athletic games for the visually impaired.

Blackburn Rovers will look to end a disappointing week on a high when they make the trip to Charlton Athletic on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Having led a 10-man Ipswich Town 1-0 after 79 minutes, heavy rainfall saw the game abandoned and the English Football League settle on a replay.

It's left Blackburn feeling hard done by after dominating following the dismissal but they will need to get over their ordeal quickly when they visit a side who, while not prolific scorers themselves, make finding the net a troublesome task.

• Charlton have won just one of their last six home league games against Blackburn (D2 L3), with this their first since a 2-0 defeat in February 2020.

• Blackburn have won six of their last nine league games against Charlton (D1 L2), though those two defeats in that run have come in the last three meetings.

• Charlton have lost just one of their last 18 home league games (W13 D4), going down 1-0 against Leicester last month.

• Having won just one of a run of 10 away league games between December and March last season (D1 L8), Blackburn have now won four of their last six on the road (D1 L1).

• Only Sheffield United (1) have scored fewer goals than Charlton (4) in the Championship this season. However, only Stoke and Middlesbrough (4) have conceded fewer than the Addicks (5).

A potential move to take the Championship play-offs down to eighth place would damage the competition's credibility, according to former Huddersfield, Stoke and Middlesbrough defender Tommy Smith.

The EFL board is set to discuss proposals to increase the number of teams in the end-of-season play-offs from four to six but Smith, who was promoted to the Premier League with Huddersfield via the play-offs in 2017 is not a fan of the idea.

"It's not for me - I think it suits teams who don't really have a chance to get in the top six," he told the BBC's EFL podcast 72+.

"From a credibility point of view the top six is there to be aimed at and you have to earn your place in it."

The play-offs were first introduced for the 1986-87 season where sides finishing third down to fifth were involved along with the team third-from-bottom in the top flight.

After two seasons the format was changed to be played out between teams finishing third to sixth in the second tier.

"To finish eighth in the Championship and potentially get promoted to the Premier League it just doesn't sit right with me," added Smith.

"Notoriously over the past years getting into the top six is tough and when you get in there after a long hard season it feels brilliant, so to make it a top eight it dilutes it."

Image source, Rex Features

Charlton Athletic midfielder Henry Rylah has signed a two-year contract extension at The Valley.

The 19-year-old academy prospect has made 10 appearances for the Addicks since his debut in November 2022.

Rylah has played twice for Nathan Jones' side this season and started in the 3-1 Carabao Cup first round win over Stevenage.

He has signed a deal until 2027 with the option of an extra year.

"It means a lot to extend my time here. It shows that the club has put real faith in me and I can really see myself developing my career further now," Rylah told the club's website., external

"I'm just glad to see what the future holds."

Paul Sullivan
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Charlton Athletic registered their first away win in the Championship at a rain-lashed Bramall Lane on Saturday afternoon.

The 1-0 win could have huge implications for our season, as it could be a launching pad for complete belief we belong at this level.

Isaac 'Tanto' Olaofe - the Summer signing from Stockport County - scored his first goal for The Addicks in the 90th minute with Southampton loanee James Bree providing an assist on his full Charlton debut.

Ever since the appointment of returning manager, Chris Wilder, the noises coming out of the Sheffield United camp indicated they were expecting a relatively easy three points to kickstart their season after a miserable start under the ousted Ruben Selles.

The bottom line though, following 'talk the talk', is to 'walk the walk' and this Blades side were still blunt from their opening five league defeats.

Conversely, Charlton produced the goods when it mattered on the day.

In front of a partisan, expectant crowd of 30,165 (1,954 Charlton fans), it was so important we started well. This first phase of the game was crucial as we nullified the euphoria of the perceived returning messiah. They quickly realised they had a battle on their hands.

As it turned out, Charlton were magnificent in defence as we saw Reece Burke and Bree seamlessly bed in. We were dangerous on the counter-attack, as we were happy to allow Sheffield United the lion's share of possession. We were dominant in shots both on and off target.

It was a truly wonderful win.

I believe this result sets the tone for what we are capable of achieving in this division.

There was a lot of hype leading into this game. Even in normal circumstances, Bramall Lane is an intimidating place to visit. As a group, we dealt with it all and put in a performance and a result. Neutral observers will sit up and take notice.

Paul Sullivan provides commentary on Charlton Athletic games for the visually impaired.

Image source, Rex Features

Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones has praised his side's 1-0 win at Sheffield United given the 'context' of the occasion at Bramall Lane.

Isaac Olaofe's late winner meant there was no fairy tale return for Blades boss Chris Wilder who is back in the Blades dugout for a third time.

"It was just an excellent win. I thought we deserved it. If you look at the context and the difficulty of the game; this is Sheffield United, away, full house, returning manager who's been synonymous with success here so to put in that level of performance I thought was outstanding," Jones told BBC London.

"First half, I thought we were the better team, we had the better chances, one or two on the counter.

"We had two really good opportunities from second phase, the keeper made great saves.

"We had similar opportunities to what Ipswich had the week before yet they ran out 5-0 and we had only one so that's a learning curve for us but the level of performance was fantastic."