POST-MATCH THREAD: Stoke City V Charlton Athletic: Tuesday 25th November 2025: KO 19:45

Looking to bounce back from the drubbing at the weekend, Charlton hoped this evening’s fixture represents a chance at redemption. Stoke, however, are near the top of the table, a change from their struggles last season, and were surely sensing blood in the water. Changes in the Charlton first eleven saw Carey playing further forward, with Docherty, Berry, and Coventry behind and James Bree coming back on the right. The press was effective in the opening minutes and Charlton looked full of vigour but any optimism was misplaced and short lived.

Before the 3 minute mark Charlton had conceded. Sorba Thomas’s cross-cum-shot flew twenty-five yards straight over Thomas Kaminsky’s head and into the back of the net. Then the unthinkable. Within five minutes of kick off Charlton were down two, after Lloyd Jones charged out—perhaps overplaying his hand though he was fouled through a strong nudge—missed the tackle, leaving the back line exposed. It was a relatively easy, barely contested shot that left Kaminsky rooted to his line and the Addicks, once again in a hapless position, two nil down after consecutive goals in the opening five minutes. Stoke have the best defensive record in the league, so any wish for a result would represent something of a difficult, uphill battle.

An issue with the referee’s equipment gave Nathan Jones a chance to pull his troops in for a chat. After the restart there was a bit of formation change, with Tyreece Campbell moving over to the right and Sonny Carey over to the left. James Bree and Macauley Gillesphey were now a part of a back four.

The Addicks worked themselves back into the match a little for the next twenty minutes. Until another Sorba Thomas deep cross from the left beat Kaminsky again! The keeper will argue that Kayne Ramsay’s leap obscured his sight of the ball but, regardless, he was beaten from twenty five yards again from a cross that was on target. When it rains, it pours.

To see out the half, a tweak in formation was made that saw Gillesphey moved back to left-sided centre half and Ramsay moving out to the left. Deck chairs and all that… The remainder of the half was stop and start but we did look a little more competitive in that formation. The half finished without a Charlton shot on or off target and no attacks of consequence.

We’re no longer well organised and tough defensively. We’re consistently exposed and don’t have enough to recover. Without a miracle, this match was once again over in the first half.

Within the first couple of minutes of kick off in the second half Charlton managed a shot… and it was on target (if a bit hopeful). Miles Leaburn managed to fashion a half volley on the turn after creating a but of space off the back of a Coventry free kick.

On 53 minutes, the Addicks broke forward through Tyreece Campbell that resulted in a Luke Berry shot in the box that went narrowly wide. Signs of progress were there, though Stoke also had their moments.

Just shy of 60 minutes on the clock changes were made, with Greg Docherty coming off for Harvey Knibbs, Conor Coventry replaced byTop Ranking-Costello, and Tanto Olaofe coming on for Tyreece Campbell to form a back four and a diamond in midfield. With the changes, though the individuals that came on did okay, we seemed to lose some of the little bit of momentum we’d generated.

Stoke had a few half chances but the score remained at 3-0 and the home side seemed content with that, while the visitors had no choice but to accept it. There were chances in the final twenty minutes for the Addicks, with Luke Berry and Tanto Olaofe testing the keeper without threatening any real comeback or change in momentum.

In a final roll of the dice, Nathan Jones made changes up top with Luke Berry and Miles Leaburn replaced by Karoy Anderson and Rob Apter. Olaofe went up to the lone striker role and things were re-jigged for the third time. Anderson did his chances of appearing in future no harm with his usual energy causing Stoke some problems as he put himself about at both ends of the pitch but there really wasn’t much to the rest of this.

The travelling supporters deserve a mention. They were loud and did their part when it would have been easier to shrink into the background after the calamitous start. But they were heard right the way through to the end.

It’s been a tough week to say the least. With high-flying Coventry CIty set to host the Addicks at the weekend the south Londoners will need to steel themselves for perhaps the toughest challenge yet. Three losses on the trot certainly won’t help morale going into December. The plucky Addicks need a Christmas miracle or, failing that, set up to turn the afternoon into something more like a war of attrition to grind out an ugly scoreless draw.

Stoke 3 Charlton 0
Over to you.