Charlton Athletic

Paul Sullivan
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Enough has been said about what went wrong in South Wales. The Cardiff result was painful, but is now behind us. What matters is how Charlton Athletic use this extended international break to turn that performance into a platform for progress.

The priority must be simplicity.

When the ball is played out from the back there should be a clear, repeatable structure that gives players confidence even under pressure.

That means agreed patterns of movement, reliable passing options and a default way to progress the ball without hesitation.

Equally important is preparing for the opposition's press. Charlton need practised escape routes; safe outlets in midfield and wide players ready to punish teams who over-commit.

Receivers must open their bodies to see both the ball and the next forward pass, cutting out unnecessary sideways or backward circulation.

There were far too many sloppy moments in our own half; that is an area which must be tightened up as a matter of urgency.

Transition play also demands attention. When possession is regained, the instinct should be to move forward quickly, not reset into slow, predictable possession.

Video analysis can help here, showing players moments where a quicker release would have created a chance, then recreating those situations in training until they become habit.

In the final third, decision‑making must be sharper.

Attacks should vary between crosses, cut‑backs, and shots, with strikers attacking the near post and midfielders arriving late to meet pull‑backs.

The aim is to increase both the speed and variety of attacks, keeping defences uncertain and stretched.

Beyond tactics, this break is a chance to rebuild physical and mental resilience.

After a brief rest, targeted fitness work can improve pressing resistance and recovery runs.

Team and individual meetings should focus on lessons learned rather than blame, restoring confidence and unity. A refreshed, self‑believing squad is far more likely to execute any game plan effectively.

Finally, planning for the run of fixtures from 10 October is essential. Internal friendlies can test formations and combinations, giving head coach Nathan Jones a clear roadmap and a range of strong options when league action resumes.

Used wisely, this international break can transform the Cardiff defeat from a low point into a catalyst for genuine improvement.

Charlton Athletic boss Nathan Jones spoke to BBC Radio London after his side's 3-1 defeat at Cardiff City.

For a written selection of his quotes, click here.

Cardiff City and Charlton Athletic will hope to rediscover the winning habit when they meet on Saturday (12:30 BST).

The Bluebirds are yet to win a league game since returning to the second tier this season while Charlton's early form has deserted them with no victory from their past four outings

• Each of the past three league matches between Cardiff City and Charlton Athletic have been drawn, with this the first since a 0-0 stalemate in June 2020.

• Charlton have lost five of their past six away league games at Welsh clubs (D1), although their last win was at Cardiff in March 2015 (2-1).

• Along with Burnley, Cardiff are one of two sides yet to win a game in the Championship this season (P7 W0 D4 L3). Only in 1964-65 (11), 1989-90 (8), and 2018-19 (8) have the Bluebirds ever failed to win their first 8+ games of a league campaign.

• Charlton are winless in four league games (D3 L1), failing to score in their past three – the Addicks' longest scoreless streak since March 2023 (4 in a row).

• Only Millwall (58.5%) have won a higher proportion of their aerial duels in the Championship so far this season than Charlton (54.8%), while only Lincoln (1,907) have attempted fewer passes than the Addicks (2,190).

Paul Sullivan
Fan writer

Two consecutive home 0-0 draws against Queens Park Rangers and Portsmouth have kept Charlton ticking over in the Championship.

I was very happy to take a battling point against QPR, who are recognised as a dangerous outfit and indeed dominated possession for long periods.

There was a tinge of disappointment at not defeating 17th-placed Pompey in a fledgling Championship table.

Charlton showed good fluidity in the first half and should have been rewarded, with Millenic Alli glaringly missing in front of the Portsmouth fans who were cheering him on last season but jeering this time.

Portsmouth emerged after the interval having absorbed and escaped Charlton's pressure, putting together quicker combinations and attacking the spaces more effectively. Their best chance fell to Abu Kamara, but Arthur Okonkwo went down well to his left to thwart him. Charlton regained control in the latter stages.

Very much like last season, we generally look sound defensively, but where are the goals coming from?

Three blanks on the spin, but you can also put a positive spin on that: just one defeat in our opening seven league games.

I'm sure all Charlton fans would have taken that when we were under starters' orders on August 15, and it has resulted in a sixth-place berth.

Image source, Getty Images

Away from the action, Nathan Jones has once again underlined his credentials as a stand-up comedian should he ever want to jack in the football job.

Jones himself provided the punchlines, joking that when he queried the disallowed goal v QPR, the assistant referee looked at him as if he had just volleyed his cat.

He also quipped after the Portsmouth game, that one of last season's shots seemed to have come from as far away as Blackheath, a couple of miles from Charlton - a memorable dig at Thomas Kaminski's goalkeeping.

Long may Jones remain our manager, and hopefully he is never tempted to return to God's Own Country if Mr Tan ever loses patience with Brian Barry-Murphy at Cardiff City, who are our next opponents.

There were one or two raised eyebrows when Jones was pipped to August's manager of the month award by Swansea City head coach Vitor Matos, following our maximum league haul. The Swans accrued two fewer points than Charlton.

Even perfection is not rewarded now.

So we journey from one Valley to several valleys on Saturday, hoping to avoid Cardiff taking their frustrations out on us by finally turning their plethora of missed chances into goals - and recording their first win of the season.

Don't forget to tap the 'follow' button at the top of this page to stay up to date with the latest Charlton Athletic news.

Image source, Getty Images

Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones spoke to BBC Radio London after his side's goalless draw with Portsmouth at The Valley.

For a written selection of his quotes, click here.

Charlton Athletic remain one of nine sides in the Championship yet to lose at home as they prepare to face Portsmouth at The Valley on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Pompey ended a two-game losing run last time out, beating Cardiff City 2-0 at Fratton Park.

• Charlton lost both Championship games against Portsmouth last season, but have not lost three league games in a row versus Pompey since December 1983.

• Portsmouth have only lost two of their past eight league visits to Charlton (W4 D2), winning this fixture last season 3-1.

• Charlton have failed to score in their past two league games, last going three without scoring in March 2023 (run of four).

• Portsmouth have scored in 11 successive away league games for the first time since April 2019 (also 11), while they last managed 12 in a row in February 2016.

• Charlton's expected goals (xG) of 3.8 is the lowest of any side in the Championship this season, while only three sides have had fewer shots than their 61.

Image source, Getty Images

Swansea City boss Vitor Matos has been named the Championship's manager of the month for August.

The 38-year-old helped his side take seven points from their opening three games of the season last month.

Matos was appointed Swansea boss in November 2025 and has won 17 of his 38 games in charge.

Charlton's Nathan Jones, Cesar Peixoto of Wolves and QPR head coach Julien Stephan were also nominated for the award.

Charlton Athletic boss Nathan Jones spoke to BBC Radio London after his side's 0-0 draw with QPR at The Valley on Wednesday night.

Listen to his interview above or here on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Getty Images

Charlton Athletic boss Nathan Jones, Swansea's Vitor Matos, Cesar Peixoto of Wolves and QPR head coach Julien Stephan have been nominated for August's Championship manager of the month award.

Jones led Charlton to the top of the table with three wins from their opening three games.

Swansea made an unbeaten start under Matos with their seven points including victories over Stoke City and Derby County.

In his first season in charge of Wolves, Cesar Peixoto also started with seven points from the first three games of the campaign as they seek an immediate return to the Premier League.

QPR have made an encouraging start to the new season and went through August unbeaten with Julien Stephan overseeing away wins at Portsmouth and Blackburn Rovers.

The winner of the season's first award will be announced on Friday, 11 September.

Image source, Getty Images

Nathan Jones might be a "pantomime villain" but he's made Charlton a "steady ship" in the Championship.

That's the view of Addicks fan Joe Puddifoot, who is pleased with how his side have started the season despite losing their unbeaten record at Stoke on Saturday - and it's a progression he feels has gradually evolved since Jones was appointed in 2024.

"Since Nathan Jones has come in, it's been a really steady ship," Puddifoot told BBC Radio London.

"I think the big thing coming into this season that Nathan himself, the board, and certainly the fans would be looking for is an evolution in playing style because it was turgid, unenjoyable at times last season to watch.

"So far this [season] I think you can see our attacking play is a lot more interesting. We have been able to be involved in games rather than just spoiling games as we were in periods of last season."

Though Jones appears to be much loved at The Valley, it's not been the case at some of his previous clubs.

The 53-year-old had tough managerial stints at both Stoke City and Southampton.

"He is a bit of a pantomime villain but it does create a bit of a siege mentality," Puddifoot said.

"It's not worked for him [in return visits] at Stoke yet but I'm sure he'll be looking forward to the next opportunity he gets to go and put that record right."

Listen to the full analysis below or on BBC Sounds here.

Image source, Opta

There's a tasty London derby in the offing on Wednesday (20:00 BST) as Charlton welcome QPR across town.

After 10 points from their opening four games, the Addicks saw their unbeaten start brought to a shuddering halt as they were humbled 4-0 at Stoke on Saturday.

The goal difference hit saw them slip to sixth, below the third-placed Hoops, who saw their own unbeaten run ended by a 1-0 defeat to Middlesbrough last time out.

• Charlton have lost just one of their past 11 home league games against QPR (W6 D4), a 0-1 defeat in October 2007.

• QPR have failed to score in each of their past four away league games at Charlton, with Dexter Blackstock their last league scorer at the Valley in a 2-2 draw in December 2008.

• Charlton are looking to win each of their first three home games of a league season for the first time since 2017-18 in League One, and first time in the Championship since 2014-15.

• QPR could win each of their first three away games of a league season for the fourth time in their history, after 1927-28, 1962-63, and 1987-88.

• Charlton's Nathan Jones has only won one of his 10 managerial league games against QPR (D3 L6), a 3-1 victory with Luton in October 2022.

Paul Sullivan
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

As football fans, we can be accused of being overly optimistic from time to time.

Perhaps there were some who, after an opening three wins and a creditable 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion, had designs on promotion or the play-offs.

I've always maintained that 60 points is a realistic target - aiming for seven points from each batch of five games would actually exceed that figure. So to have obtained 10 points from the opening five matches is extremely commendable.

Yes, the performance up at Stoke City was ridiculously poor, but that takes me to my next observation about some fans - and definitely myself: we think 'why change the side when we are winning and/or unbeaten?'

However, we live in a modern football era whereby players are monitored down to their every heartbeat. They simply can't hack Saturday-Wednesday-Saturday. They need recovery, and other squad members need minutes.

Liverpool won the First Division title with only 14 players in 1965-66 and reached the final of the European Cup Winners' Cup.

Nathan Jones admitted the changes for the Stoke defeat backfired.

In particular, new midfielder Timothy Ouma has much to learn about the demands of Championship football; he was hauled off at half-time with the Addicks trailing 4-0.

This idealist clearly has no idea what goes on behind closed doors, and I'm sure every decision Jones makes is with the best intention. In fact, I know it is - having the greatest respect for what he has already achieved with this club.

However, we need to field a strong side on Wednesday evening when we face Queens Park Rangers, who come across as an extremely dangerous outfit.

Going into the next five games, we have wiggle room for my 60-point objective. If we can at least win one of the two upcoming home games - the other being Portsmouth on Saturday - this fan will be quietly satisfied.

Remember, the aim of the club is to keep gradually evolving.

Nice and easy does it.

Don't forget to tap the 'follow' button at the top of this page to stay up to date with the latest Charlton news.

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Championship match between Stoke City and Charlton Athletic.

Here are some of your comments:

Stoke City fans

Peter: 1000% better performance from the lads, full control from the midfield trio. A faster approach to their forward play with Justin Devenny the most outstanding player.

Andy: Long way to go but a bit more promising. Ipswich had a bad start last season and still managed promotion.

Mike: Great result following the win on Tuesday, showing a much better all-round performance. Now keep it going.

Image source, Getty Images

Charlton Athletic fans

Ian: Nathan Jones needs to acknowledge this result is down to him, too many new players in the starting XI not having played together in a difficult away match. Stop fiddling, Nathan, and let our best players start, give the new players minutes from the bench. Yes it's a busy couple of weeks but the players need to buckle down and suck it up.

John: Oh well, back to scrappy, ill-disciplined so-called football. The great start to the season has been well and truly tarnished.

Duncan: The usual Charlton nosebleed followed by the inevitable nosedive. How can we beat the Hammers, then get pounded by Stoke a week later?

Image source, Getty Images

Charlton boss Nathan Jones felt "bitterly disappointed" with both his team and referee Bobby Madley on the former Stoke manager's latest return to the bet365 Stadium.

Jones was particularly upset with Madley's award of Stoke's 15th-minute penalty in the Addicks' 4-0 defeat, which he believed turned the game.

"I've gone in and seen him," Jones told BBC Radio London. "There were so many things that went against us.

"But straight after the penalty we went under for 20 minutes – and my teams don't normally do that.

"We've done it twice here. That's the thing that hurts me and hurts my teams, us going under like that.

"I'm bitterly disappointed with my own team's performance, but I'm as bitterly disappointed with another performance as well."

Jones knew he was in for a hostile reception back on a ground where he has lost on four of his five visits since being sacked by Stoke in November 2019.

"I'm definitely going to get it when I come back here," said Jones. "But I expected that. I had it when I was manager, so I'm definitely going to get it as an opposing manager.

"They need me to come here because they get better results when I come back.

"We've lost but we're in a really good position. We've started really well. We've got 10 points from five games, which is promotion form. We would have taken that but today it's fresh, it hurts and it's raw."

Charlton's winning start to the Championship came to an end against West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday but they are still yet to lose as they visit Stoke City on Saturday (12:30 BST).

Stoke, meanwhile, enjoyed their first points in the midweek, picking up all three against Norwich City on Tuesday.

• Stoke have only lost one of their last 14 home league games against Charlton (W11 D2), winning seven of their last eight, including three in a row since a 1-2 defeat in February 1998.

• Charlton have won four of their last seven league games against Stoke (L3), as many as their previous 20 beforehand (D5 L11).

• Stoke have picked up just three points across their opening four league games this season (W1 L3) and have conceded nine goals – both their worst returns at this stage of a campaign since 2019-20 (1 point, 10GA).

• Charlton Athletic have 10 points from their four Championship games so far this season, their most at this stage of a second tier campaign since 1992-93 (12).

• Tyreece Campbell has scored three goals in four league games for Charlton this season, already as many as he netted in 45 appearances last season.

Image source, Getty Images

Charlton Athletic fan and journalist Louis Mendez believes new Addicks signing Junior Nkeng is "a really exciting prospect" for the side, but might not be able to make an immediate impact.

The 19-year-old has played 25 games for AFC Wimbledon in League One but the Championship will be unknown territory for the Spaniard.

"There's always a difference between being in League One and into the Championship, which Charlton found out with a few of the players last summer," Mendez told BBC Radio London.

"There was that deal for Jesurun Rak-Sakyi [that fell through] which I think would have added some real quality on that right-hand side on the pitch for Charlton, which I would say is probably the missing piece if there is one.

"But who knows? With Millenic Alli, who played brilliantly in the win against Preston, and Nkeng [who] sounds like [he] can play on both sides, maybe there is enough."

Listen to the full analysis below or on BBC Sounds here.