I haven't seen any of today's game but I don't need to to know that Kayne Ramsay is my favourite Charlton player of this decade. My mind was made up in the last couple of months of last season.
Sounds like a decent away day for those of you there, and a solid performance to go with it.
Massively pleased. I said on the pre-match I would’ve bitten your hand off for a 0-0 and it sounds like we did the ugly stuff well and from just watching the highlights on ITV4, there wasn’t much in it re: clear cut chances, so it looks like we held our own going forward as well.
I know there is a lot more stability about the club this time round, but my mind can’t stop thinking about the bright start we had in 2019 and then just how bloody tough it got. I’m confident we’ve got the players to compete in this division, but we know when the last days of summer finish and we get into those months of Oct onwards, things will get tough. We can enjoy it while we can though
another tough one next week. 46 odd points to go
2019/20 was an unprecedentedly weird season for so many reasons. Having the budget CUT on promotion; ownership protests; losing our best player mid-season; Range Rovers, swanky apartments, and fancy bread and bitches; the big transfer phone; going down with a near record high amount of points; even a once in a hundred years Pandemic (FFS!) delaying the season, emptying stadiums, and leading to our second-best player making himself unavailable for the run in. It just felt like the gods had it in for us that year.
The 2018/19 squad that got promoted was probably better than 2024/25's, but I think 2025/26's is better than 2019/20's (it's certainly got more depth) and when you take out all the other off-the-pitch craziness and external factors, I reckon the odds of this season being completely derailed, in the way 2019/20 was, are low.
You're right though, we're riding a bit of momentum at the moment and things probably will, at least, slow down a bit at some point. Hopefully not to the crushing extent as happened last time we were in the Championship.
That's a tomorrow problem though, for now enjoy the moment and ride the wave of optimism.
Sounds like a decent away day for those of you there, and a solid performance to go with it.
Massively pleased. I said on the pre-match I would’ve bitten your hand off for a 0-0 and it sounds like we did the ugly stuff well and from just watching the highlights on ITV4, there wasn’t much in it re: clear cut chances, so it looks like we held our own going forward as well.
I know there is a lot more stability about the club this time round, but my mind can’t stop thinking about the bright start we had in 2019 and then just how bloody tough it got. I’m confident we’ve got the players to compete in this division, but we know when the last days of summer finish and we get into those months of Oct onwards, things will get tough. We can enjoy it while we can though
another tough one next week. 46 odd points to go
I agree it will be tough. But one great thing is that these days the closer it gets to 90 minutes the more likely I think it is we will score. A few years ago it was the opposite. N J has made us both very hard to beat and also fit enough to run other teams into the ground in the last quarter.
Definitely
and the intensity NJ demands implies that each of the players don’t want to let each other down and will ensure the collective pressure and hard work ethic etc.
I also think the talent is there this time, and the depth. I recall when Lyle Taylor got injured in 19/20 it was down to Bonne and Josh Davison to lead the line. To be fair to Bonne, he did okay. It was an even more dire situation in that run of games over Xmas when Bowyer had to blood a bunch of youngsters of which Doughty was probably the only one that was good enough; and we were fortunate enough to benefit from.
It’s absolutely more solid this time if you look at the foundations, the incomings etc, but I have in recent years, been very carried away with positive starts and these early season runs. If we can come away with 3pts out the next 2 I’ll be delighted
Are they HAPPY with mediocrity... Are THEY happy with not winning... There are no Guns firing from this corner of Cornwall on this Saturday evening, Charlton Athletic consider me EXTREMELY disappointed with todays result and performance.
Naaa how can I say such a thing... How could you be mad with the players after that effort and work rate, another 44-games like that and am very confident we'll be playing Championship Football next season, without ever really looking over our shoulders.
(Still no Battleship gif though... Thats reserved for WINNERS!!)
Brilliant day taking my son to his first away game.
I think it’s one of the most enjoyable nil nil games I’ve been to. The support was unbelievable and so so loud throughout. Absolutely outstanding.
We made it very difficult for them to get into any rhythm and definitely finished the game the strongest and probably should have nicked it.
To top it all off we bumped into Nathan on the train home so got a picture with him.
I’m one proud Charlton fan tonight. Up the addicks ❤️
What's Nathan hiding behind his back..???
And thus the ‘Sandwichgate’ scandal commences. A scandal that will eventually destroy the reputation of not just Nathan Jones, but also those of Gavin Carter, Keir Starmer, Lassie, and three members of S-Club 7.
I passed out from heat exhaustion just after half-time and then had to go get my dog from this bitch he was messing with. Very happy with a point mind.
I've been thinking a lot about the 19-20 season, so that the hope doesn't kill me. But there are a lot of important differences.
Even as I celebrated at Wembley in 2019, there was a Duchatelet-shaped shroud in the background. No such worries this May. This boardroom is the best I can remember since we went up as champions back to the FAPL, 25 years ago. Everything about the club feels solid. After 15 minutes today we'd cooled the game down and from that point onwards I felt confident that we could get something from it, and that if need be we had a bench that could rescue the game. I haven't had that feeling for years.
In 2019, I think the wheels came off at Ashton Gate. It was an evening game, late October. Bow had done a fantastic job with a threadbare squad, but Taylor, who had been excellent, had got himself injured in Montserrat. So we went to Ashton Gate with Bonne and Leko up front, and the newly recruited Chuks on the bench. In the first half, we lost first JFC (playing left back) and then Sam Field, a very good Championship player ever since, to injuries which kept them out for months (both, bizarrely, shoulder injuries if I recall) But Bonne put us ahead on 65. We defended like hell, but Chris Solly had come on for JFC, and his knees were gone, and on the other side we had Oshilaja. Bow didn't trust Naby Sarr, who was on the bench. We finally lost to a 90+8 minute goal. Bow did his best, but that team was never solid, and Duchatelet had stripped the club infrastructure bare, and then came the wrong 'uns, and we lost Gallagher.
Lots of things can still go wrong, it won't be easy, the standard is way higher than 2019. But the club overall has taken a lot of good decisions in the last 18 months. Everything feels set up right.
Such a transformation since Nathan took charge. I remember (in the dying days of Appleton) any time we were under pressure in injury time it felt inevitable we would concede. I never feel that anymore and wouldn't have been at all surprised if we nicked it at the end instead.
Maybe I am delusional, but I thought we were the better side. We looked more organised and cohesive, I think we edged it and could have won.
We know how good all the usual suspects are, but Carey and Apter are playing like they were here all last season, they've fit in tremendously, and Carey has really impressed me. No wonder Blackpool finished the season so strong with these two.
Final note, I'll say it now, 0% chance we go down. I refuse to believe we will finish down there now, we are just too organised.
There's no comparison between our squad and the 2019/20 one. When your Championship side is barely better than your L1 side, you're unlikely to stay up, and without Gallagher for half a season, we would have been way off the pace.
The 2019/20 one still had some excellent players, but was desperately lacking in depth so it all fell apart when injuries took out a few players. And it was reliant on loan players, so there was always the risk of recalls, whereas our best players are ours.
There's no comparison between our squad and the 2019/20 one. When your Championship side is barely better than your L1 side, you're unlikely to stay up, and without Gallagher for half a season, we would have been way off the pace.
The 2019/20 one still had some excellent players, but was desperately lacking in depth so it all fell apart when injuries took out a few players. And it was reliant on loan players, so there was always the risk of recalls, whereas our best players are ours.
Agreed. Gallagher and Cullen would get in this side , probably the guy with pink hair too . That very brief incarnation of Jonny Williams at the start of that season would be a useful bench option.
Great day out, fans were immense, thanks again to @golfaddick for driving.
As for the performance? I wasn’t as fearful of City as some because I’d watched their win at Sheffield Utd last week and although City played well the Utd defence was shocking and I knew we wouldn’t be. I’d have taken the point at kick off but thought we edged it and if anyone deserves the three points it was us.
It’s been said already but Jones was imperious, Ramsay is a PL player, he’s so good it’s ridiculous, and as for Apter, well. The kid appears to have it all and one day he’ll be playing in the PL, I’m sure of it. In the first half he took down one ball from out the sky and it just stuck to his foot and off he went on a mazy dribble. He’s two footed too, a peach of a cross in the second half from which we nearly scored showed that. He’s tenacious in the tackle and if he doesn’t come out with the ball he’s like a terrier in winning it back. Sonny Carey is very impressive too. We have recruited very well with those two. And Bell is showing why NJ brought him in and keeping out Gilly.
Edwards and Coventry just do what they do every game and we’ve come to expect it but both have adapted seamlessly to the Championship. Doc is unfairly criticised in my opinion, he’s a vital cog in the wheel and just gets on with it. I’d agree in that we need to see a bit more from him but it’s not as if he’s been awful these last two games. TC was much better today and a thorn in their side, unlucky not to score.
Kelman is, says NJ, still getting up to speed so we need to cut him some slack. I do think he’d benefit from starting alongside Miles or Tanto as opposed to TC but dropping TC would be harsh. I’m sure Kelman will come good and it’s only two games in and it took May and Godden longer to get in the groove so no need to panic yet.
To be able to bring the likes of Tanto, Leaburn, Knibbs, Anderson etc off the bench shows how strong the squad is.
It’s early days but things are certainly looking up. We have a lot more to come I feel and once the players have fully got to know each other and NJ has worked out who plays best with whom and where then I think we have an exciting season ahead. We have, finally, got our Charlton back.
What an enjoyable day out in Bristol. Got down early at 10am, spent a few hours around North Street area taking in the graffiti, lunch at a superb pizzeria and watching the Charlton coach arrive, while my son and nephew enjoyed beers at the Guinness bar by the Away End. Massive shout out to Rob for kindly giving me a spare ticket for my nephew for free and to the Bristol City steward (who asked not to be named) I’d stupidly left my ticket at home but he waved me through a side door. Thank you.
Charlton fans were incredible, non-stop from the start, through the game and after, when Nathan and the players came over. We could still hear them 400 yards away walking to the car. The team put in a performance to be proud of. Ramsey was immense, a brick wall at the back, and with Lloydie we’ve got two outstanding defenders. Long may they stay fit.
One of those away days with the sun shining, optimism in the air and three strong opening games under our belt, when anything seems possible. There will be challenges, but we’ve got a manager in Nathan Jones who gives our players real belief, and fans to be proud of who are the 12th man. Two night now in Bath and one in Stroud before returning to South London, heres hoping I have enough pts for QPR Away. COYA’S.
Only watched highlights. Got a feeling this result is more impressive than first game particularly after Bristol's performance last week.
Was it the case..??
I haven’t read any other posts on this thread.
But I watched live & I agree with this. Thought it was a solid and encouraging performance. New signings didn’t seem like new signings. Gelled well.
Only 2 games in, and while I can’t include the new signings in this opinion due to lack of previous knowledge, I thought everyone seemed to have upped their game.
Hopefully Kellman settles soon and we continue to grow in confidence.
Looking forward to a few high octane crackers in the months ahead.
That said, we just need to make sure we’re still in this division next year. Anything other than that is a bonus.
Sounds like a decent away day for those of you there, and a solid performance to go with it.
Massively pleased. I said on the pre-match I would’ve bitten your hand off for a 0-0 and it sounds like we did the ugly stuff well and from just watching the highlights on ITV4, there wasn’t much in it re: clear cut chances, so it looks like we held our own going forward as well.
I know there is a lot more stability about the club this time round, but my mind can’t stop thinking about the bright start we had in 2019 and then just how bloody tough it got. I’m confident we’ve got the players to compete in this division, but we know when the last days of summer finish and we get into those months of Oct onwards, things will get tough. We can enjoy it while we can though
another tough one next week. 46 odd points to go
I agree it will be tough. But one great thing is that these days the closer it gets to 90 minutes the more likely I think it is we will score. A few years ago it was the opposite. N J has made us both very hard to beat and also fit enough to run other teams into the ground in the last quarter.
Definitely
and the intensity NJ demands implies that each of the players don’t want to let each other down and will ensure the collective pressure and hard work ethic etc.
I also think the talent is there this time, and the depth. I recall when Lyle Taylor got injured in 19/20 it was down to Bonne and Josh Davison to lead the line. To be fair to Bonne, he did okay. It was an even more dire situation in that run of games over Xmas when Bowyer had to blood a bunch of youngsters of which Doughty was probably the only one that was good enough; and we were fortunate enough to benefit from.
It’s absolutely more solid this time if you look at the foundations, the incomings etc, but I have in recent years, been very carried away with positive starts and these early season runs. If we can come away with 3pts out the next 2 I’ll be delighted
We had a fairly decent start to last season, then it went south a little but until that amazing run after Christmas that got us exactly here. I think we'll be fine this season, more consistent overall tan last year and a lot bloody harder to beat.
I love Nathan Jones's tactics, grind the opposition down over the first 60 minutes, then go for the kill in the final part of the match, switching it up and using our "finishers" to battered a tired backline. Once this team click and really get's going, I think we'll surprise a few.
I'm saying now that we'll finish 10th-12th comfortably.
We don't go to many away games as my son normally has a school fixture on. Saturday and even 3pm fixtures at home he can miss.
In line with all the comments above, we had a great day out. Started badly with our first train delayed due to police looked for a suspect on rhe train and we had to jog a bit which as i tore my calf muscle earlier in the morning was a challenge but got back on track.
Fewer Charlton on the 12pm from Paddington than we expected but the noise started as we got close to Ashton Gate and carried on pretty much throughout the game. Credit to all our away support who seem to have honed up chants for all occasions over recent seasons and everyone was up for it. There were three smallish lads, say 8 years old standing on the seats in front of us being chaperoned by 2 well to do looking American ladies and all 5 of them were giving it the big one to the home supporters (we were at the side on the left of our support) and involved in every chant as was everyone around us. We were worried buting late and being on the edge of our crowd it may be a bit subdued, not at all.
Edwards was on our side first half and had a bit of a challenge against their right sided attack. We wondered if he may be carrying a slight niggle. Eveything had to come doen his side though as it was pointless Bristol trying to attack down the right as no one could get anything through or past Ramsay and Apter, they tried and failed.
Their defence shat themselves every time TC got the ball.
Kelman tried hard but not quite lucky enough jn his positioning, maybe trying too hard as he was coming in too early for knock backs and not timing his runs quite well enough for crosses, will take some time for us to adapt but I think he will score quite a few. If godden was fit now he would be starting with Kelman breaking theough later in the season imo. Leaburn causes a load of issues when subbed on, notable that this was on 60 mins yesterday rather than later.
Would have been really unlucky to lose and shaded the game, a win would have been amazing but a very good and enjoyable 0-0 draw.
On as side note there were a lot of very attractive women on the train in both directions and more trips to the west country may be required to check out whether this is a representative sample
Comments
Weve got a proper manager in Nathan Jones -
I think top half is achievable this year.
The 2018/19 squad that got promoted was probably better than 2024/25's, but I think 2025/26's is better than 2019/20's (it's certainly got more depth) and when you take out all the other off-the-pitch craziness and external factors, I reckon the odds of this season being completely derailed, in the way 2019/20 was, are low.
You're right though, we're riding a bit of momentum at the moment and things probably will, at least, slow down a bit at some point. Hopefully not to the crushing extent as happened last time we were in the Championship.
That's a tomorrow problem though, for now enjoy the moment and ride the wave of optimism.
What's so pleasing to read is the number of posts saying how proud people are to be a Charlton supporter, it's bloody brilliant to see!
and the intensity NJ demands implies that each of the players don’t want to let each other down and will ensure the collective pressure and hard work ethic etc.
I also think the talent is there this time, and the depth. I recall when Lyle Taylor got injured in 19/20 it was down to Bonne and Josh Davison to lead the line. To be fair to Bonne, he did okay. It was an even more dire situation in that run of games over Xmas when Bowyer had to blood a bunch of youngsters of which Doughty was probably the only one that was good enough; and we were fortunate enough to benefit from.
Yay.
Even as I celebrated at Wembley in 2019, there was a Duchatelet-shaped shroud in the background. No such worries this May. This boardroom is the best I can remember since we went up as champions back to the FAPL, 25 years ago. Everything about the club feels solid. After 15 minutes today we'd cooled the game down and from that point onwards I felt confident that we could get something from it, and that if need be we had a bench that could rescue the game. I haven't had that feeling for years.
In 2019, I think the wheels came off at Ashton Gate. It was an evening game, late October. Bow had done a fantastic job with a threadbare squad, but Taylor, who had been excellent, had got himself injured in Montserrat. So we went to Ashton Gate with Bonne and Leko up front, and the newly recruited Chuks on the bench. In the first half, we lost first JFC (playing left back) and then Sam Field, a very good Championship player ever since, to injuries which kept them out for months (both, bizarrely, shoulder injuries if I recall) But Bonne put us ahead on 65. We defended like hell, but Chris Solly had come on for JFC, and his knees were gone, and on the other side we had Oshilaja. Bow didn't trust Naby Sarr, who was on the bench. We finally lost to a 90+8 minute goal. Bow did his best, but that team was never solid, and Duchatelet had stripped the club infrastructure bare, and then came the wrong 'uns, and we lost Gallagher.
Lots of things can still go wrong, it won't be easy, the standard is way higher than 2019. But the club overall has taken a lot of good decisions in the last 18 months. Everything feels set up right.
if there’s cheese in the sandwich the crisps have to be ready salted, or salt n vinegar, prawn cocktail at a push
- class away following
- brilliant city
- great performance
- glorious sun
Could have won and wouldn’t have been undeserved. Onto Leicester.
Ramsay and Jones absolutely immense today.
We know how good all the usual suspects are, but Carey and Apter are playing like they were here all last season, they've fit in tremendously, and Carey has really impressed me. No wonder Blackpool finished the season so strong with these two.
Final note, I'll say it now, 0% chance we go down. I refuse to believe we will finish down there now, we are just too organised.
The 2019/20 one still had some excellent players, but was desperately lacking in depth so it all fell apart when injuries took out a few players. And it was reliant on loan players, so there was always the risk of recalls, whereas our best players are ours.
As for the performance? I wasn’t as fearful of City as some because I’d watched their win at Sheffield Utd last week and although City played well the Utd defence was shocking and I knew we wouldn’t be. I’d have taken the point at kick off but thought we edged it and if anyone deserves the three points it was us.
It’s been said already but Jones was imperious, Ramsay is a PL player, he’s so good it’s ridiculous, and as for Apter, well. The kid appears to have it all and one day he’ll be playing in the PL, I’m sure of it. In the first half he took down one ball from out the sky and it just stuck to his foot and off he went on a mazy dribble. He’s two footed too, a peach of a cross in the second half from which we nearly scored showed that. He’s tenacious in the tackle and if he doesn’t come out with the ball he’s like a terrier in winning it back. Sonny Carey is very impressive too. We have recruited very well with those two. And Bell is showing why NJ brought him in and keeping out Gilly.
Edwards and Coventry just do what they do every game and we’ve come to expect it but both have adapted seamlessly to the Championship. Doc is unfairly criticised in my opinion, he’s a vital cog in the wheel and just gets on with it. I’d agree in that we need to see a bit more from him but it’s not as if he’s been awful these last two games. TC was much better today and a thorn in their side, unlucky not to score.
Kelman is, says NJ, still getting up to speed so we need to cut him some slack. I do think he’d benefit from starting alongside Miles or Tanto as opposed to TC but dropping TC would be harsh. I’m sure Kelman will come good and it’s only two games in and it took May and Godden longer to get in the groove so no need to panic yet.
To be able to bring the likes of Tanto, Leaburn, Knibbs, Anderson etc off the bench shows how strong the squad is.
It’s early days but things are certainly looking up. We have a lot more to come I feel and once the players have fully got to know each other and NJ has worked out who plays best with whom and where then I think we have an exciting season ahead. We have, finally, got our Charlton back.
What an enjoyable day out in Bristol. Got down early at 10am, spent a few hours around North Street area taking in the graffiti, lunch at a superb pizzeria and watching the Charlton coach arrive, while my son and nephew enjoyed beers at the Guinness bar by the Away End. Massive shout out to Rob for kindly giving me a spare ticket for my nephew for free and to the Bristol City steward (who asked not to be named) I’d stupidly left my ticket at home but he waved me through a side door. Thank you.
Charlton fans were incredible, non-stop from the start, through the game and after, when Nathan and the players came over. We could still hear them 400 yards away walking to the car. The team put in a performance to be proud of. Ramsey was immense, a brick wall at the back, and with Lloydie we’ve got two outstanding defenders. Long may they stay fit.
One of those away days with the sun shining, optimism in the air and three strong opening games under our belt, when anything seems possible. There will be challenges, but we’ve got a manager in Nathan Jones who gives our players real belief, and fans to be proud of who are the 12th man. Two night now in Bath and one in Stroud before returning to South London, heres hoping I have enough pts for QPR Away. COYA’S.
Got a feeling this result is more impressive than first game particularly after Bristol's performance last week.
Was it the case..??
months ahead.
These are the questions we need to get answered.
I love Nathan Jones's tactics, grind the opposition down over the first 60 minutes, then go for the kill in the final part of the match, switching it up and using our "finishers" to battered a tired backline. Once this team click and really get's going, I think we'll surprise a few.
I'm saying now that we'll finish 10th-12th comfortably.
In line with all the comments above, we had a great day out. Started badly with our first train delayed due to police looked for a suspect on rhe train and we had to jog a bit which as i tore my calf muscle earlier in the morning was a challenge but got back on track.
Fewer Charlton on the 12pm from Paddington than we expected but the noise started as we got close to Ashton Gate and carried on pretty much throughout the game. Credit to all our away support who seem to have honed up chants for all occasions over recent seasons and everyone was up for it. There were three smallish lads, say 8 years old standing on the seats in front of us being chaperoned by 2 well to do looking American ladies and all 5 of them were giving it the big one to the home supporters (we were at the side on the left of our support) and involved in every chant as was everyone around us. We were worried buting late and being on the edge of our crowd it may be a bit subdued, not at all.
Edwards was on our side first half and had a bit of a challenge against their right sided attack. We wondered if he may be carrying a slight niggle. Eveything had to come doen his side though as it was pointless Bristol trying to attack down the right as no one could get anything through or past Ramsay and Apter, they tried and failed.
Their defence shat themselves every time TC got the ball.
Kelman tried hard but not quite lucky enough jn his positioning, maybe trying too hard as he was coming in too early for knock backs and not timing his runs quite well enough for crosses, will take some time for us to adapt but I think he will score quite a few. If godden was fit now he would be starting with Kelman breaking theough later in the season imo. Leaburn causes a load of issues when subbed on, notable that this was on 60 mins yesterday rather than later.
Would have been really unlucky to lose and shaded the game, a win would have been amazing but a very good and enjoyable 0-0 draw.
Exceptional support.