In focus: Charlton Athletic match preview

4 December 2020

Take a closer look at the latest stats and facts in our match preview ahead of Town's Sky Bet League One clash with Charlton Athletic.

Charlton Athletic have had a promising first half to their 2020/21 Sky Beat League One campaign having won eight of their 14 league games - achieving 26 points. The Addicks, who have a goal difference of +6, are noted as one of the favourites to achieve promotion back to the Sky Bet Championship.

Guided by former Charlton midfielder, Lee Bowyer, the Addicks are in a strong position - currently sitting in fourth place in the league table - as they search for an automatic promotion spot. With Conor Washington netting six goals and Chukwuemeka Aneke netting four so far during this term, the London-based outfit have proved to be a handful for all Sky Bet League One defenders.

Name: Charlton Athletic Football Club

Nickname: The Addicks, The Red Robins

Founded: 1905 (115 years ago)

Stadium: The Valley

Capacity: 27,111

Chairman/owner: Thomas Sandgaard

Biggest win: 8-1 v Middlesbrough, Division One, 12th September 1953

Biggest loss: 1-11 v Aston Villa, Division Two, 14th November 1959

Highest league finish: Division One champions: 1999-2000

Read Steve Cotterill's thoughts ahead of the fixture...

Interviews 4 December 2020

Steve Cotterill previews Charlton Athletic

The Manager – Lee Bowyer

A former Charlton academy graduate, boss Lee Bowyer first returned to The Valley at the beginning of 2017 as a member of Karl Robinson’s coaching staff.

Canning Town-born Bowyer started his playing career in SE7. After progressing through the club’s youth ranks, he made his first-team debut against Swindon Town in the Coca-Cola Cup on September 21st 1994, with his league debut following four days later.

He made 58 appearances for Charlton, scoring 14 goals, before moving to Leeds United in 1996. Capped once by England’s senior team, Bowyer would also represent West Ham United, Newcastle United and Birmingham City in the top flight, and Ipswich Town in the Championship.

During his first two years as a manager, Bowyer has already achieved promotion from Sky Bet League One having taken the Addicks up via the 2019 Play-offs. However, Bowyer was unable to keep the club in the division.

Goalkeeper – Ben Amos

Charlton completed the loan signing of experienced goalkeeper Ben Amos from Bolton Wanderers on July 29th 2017 and the keeper retired to the Valley for a second loan spell at the start of the season.

The 29-year-old is a former Manchester United academy graduate and spent last season with South London rivals, Millwall, on loan.

Amos started his career at Old Trafford and would go on to represent the Red Devils in the Champions League, the League Cup and once in the Premier League.

While with United, Amos enjoyed domestic loan stints at Peterborough United, Oldham Athletic, Hull City, Carlisle United and Bolton Wanderers, before joining the latter permanently in July 2015.

Defender – Chris Gunter

Gunter joined the Addicks on a two year deal in October 2020 being the most capped Wales international ever.

Gunter - Who has played just under 100 games for the Dragons - joined the club as Lee Bowyer looks for a healthy blend of youth and experience and, with him having played over 500 professional games, the right-back was considered the best fit.

Having begun his career at Cardiff City Gunter joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2008 before being sent on loan to Nottingham. He made his move to the City Ground permanent the following season and went on to make 155 appearances for the Tricky Trees over three years before joining Reading in 2012. Gunter spent 8 years with the Royals following their relegation from the Premier League in 2013, playing over 300 games in Berkshire

Midfielder – Ben Watson

Ben Watson became the first signing of the Thomas Sandgaard era when he joined the Addicks on a one-year deal with the option of a second year. Watson joins the Charlton having been a mainstay in Nottingham Forest's side since joining the Tricky Trees in 2018.

Born in Camberwell, Watson began his career with Crystal Palace before earning a move to then-Premier League Wigan Athletic in 2009. Watson enjoyed six memorable years with the Latics.

He signed for Watford in 2015 helping the Hornets become a stable Premier League side before joining Forest in 2018. Having played at the top level for a considerable amount of time, the Addicks will hope he can bring some vital experience in midfield alongside Darren Pratley.

Forward – Conor Washington

Washington became the Addicks' second summer signing of the 2020/21 season arriving from Scottish side Hearts on a two-year deal.

A Northern Ireland international, the striker began his career with non-League side St Ives Town before joining Newport county in 2012 where he helped the Welsh outfit into the Football League. In 2014 Washington caught the eye of Peterborough United and signed for the League One side. He would go on to score 33 goals for the Posh in 94 games across two seasons.

Washington then joined Championship outfit QPR in 2016, staying in West London for two years before joining Sheffield United. In 2019 Washington ventured north of the border to join Heart of Midlothian.

League stats:

Results: P14 W8 D2 L4

Last five results: WDLWL

Win percentage: 57%

Average points per game: 1.86

Average goals scored per game: 1.36

Average goals per game: 2.29

Average shots per match: 10.57

Average possession: 50%

Fouls per match: 7.93

Offsides per match: 2.93

Top goal-scorer: Conor Washington - 5

Top Assists: Andrew Shinnie - 2

Most cards: Ben Watson - 6

Most frequent FT score: 0-2 (4 times)

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Match Reports

Match report: Shrewsbury Town 1 Charlton Athletic 1

5 December 2020

Town secure a point against Charlton Athletic.

Shrewsbury Town secured another point in Sky Bet League One after a 1-1 draw with Lee Bowyer's Charlton Athletic.

Salop began the game on the front foot looking to press the back line of Charlton - with Shaun Whalley and Dan Udoh the most advanced.

The away side grew into the game and continually looked to get the ball wide and put crosses into the box towards the physical presence of Chuks Aneke.

It was the visitors who had the first effort on goal when the ball fell to Ian Maasten. The Addicks' defender had his shot blocked for a corner.

Town had the chance to take the lead after Shaun Whalley’s corner was attacked by Aaron Pierre who rose highest but his header flew over the bar.

Chuks Aneke again looked the most likely to score for the Red Robbins this time the ref waived away a certain foul on Marc Pugh which led to a swift breakaway Aneke was played in but fired his shot straight into the hands of Matija Sarkic, moments later Aneke was booked for a physical challenge on Ro-Shaun Williams.

The sides remained level at the break with Town edging the run of play.

Salop’s first chance of the second half again came from a Whalley corner this time Matt Millar was the man to get on the end of it but he headed his effort wide of the mark.

Minutes later it looked as if Town had taken the lead when Millar again was involved this time cutting inside and curling a shot high towards the far corner only to be denied by the crossbar.

The game began to open up as it edged towards the 70^th minute, Pugh found himself in acres of space on the edged of the area but his shot failed to test the Charlton keeper, Pugh was then replaced by Dave Edwards with Shrewsbury still looking for a breakthrough.

It was the away side who took the lead when they broke down the right-hand side through Chris Gunter who played a smart ball low into the area Ben Watson directed a tame effort goalward that took a sizeable deflection leaving Sarkic no chance to keep it out.

With ten minutes left to play The Shrews were knocking on the door as they pressed for an equaliser Whalley and Edwards both came close, but the bar had to come to Charlton’s rescue once again this time from Josh Vela who had his cross deflected goalward.

Jason Cummings who replaced Dan Udoh earlier in the half, had a shot flash wide with Town continuing to pile the pressure on The Addicks.

Skipper Ollie Norburn thought he had leveled it up when his curling effort forced a good save out of Ben Amos.

Shrewsbury were awarded a penalty with virtually the last kick of the game when Edwards was bundled over in the area.

Mr reliable from the spot Ollie Norburn made no mistake from 12 yards to send both sides home with a point.

The teams:

Town: Matija Sarkic, Aaron Pierre, Ro-Shaun Williams, Shaun Whalley, Ollie Norburn, Josh Vela, Matt Millar (Josh Daniels, 77), Charlie Daniels, Daniel Udoh (Jason Cummings, 72), Ethan Ebanks-Landell Marc Pugh (David Edwards, 65).

Subs: Harry Burgoyne, Scott Golbourne, David Edwards, Sean Goss, Josh Daniels, Scott High, Jason Cummings.

Charlton: Ben Amos, Chris Gunter, Akin Famewo, Jason Pearce, Jake Forster-Caskey (Albie Morgan, 62), Chuks Aneke (Omar Bogle, 69), Alex Gilbey (Jonathan Williams, 62) (Adam Matthews, 85), Conor Washington, Darren Pratley, Ian Maasten, Ben Watson.

Subs: Ashley Maynard-Brewer, Ben Purrington, Jonathan Williams, Adam Matthews, Omar Bogle, Albie Morgan, Aaron Henry.

Referee: Anthony Backhouse

Assistants: Thomas Harty and Marvyn Amphlett

Fourth official: Grant Taylor

Bookings:

Alex Gilbey was shown a yellow card in the 23^rd minute for a foul on Matt Millar.

Chuks Aneke was also booked in the first half for a foul on Ro-Shaun Williams in the Town half. 44^th minute.

Josh Vela was shown a yellow card in the 53^rd minute for a miss-timed tackle on the Addicts number 10.

Albie Morgan was shown a yellow card in the 89^th minute for a foul on Ro-Shaun Williams.

Ticket News

Charlton Athletic ticket update

4 December 2020

Charlton Athletic tickets to go on sale to registered supporters.

Shrewsbury Town can confirm we have ticket sales of 1400 for Saturday’s game against Charlton Athletic. If any season ticket holders are yet to claim their ticket, they are advised to do so by 1pm today.

Any remaining tickets will go on sale to registered supporters at 2pm today via the online ticketing system and tomorrow morning from 9-12 through the ticket office.

When booking online, the delivery option is print at home/digital ticket. This option will send you an email with an attachment containing a bar code for entry to the stadium.

You can show this barcode on your phone, which will be scanned at the entrance gate and will give you access to the ground. However, if you are printing your ticket, please ensure it is the attachment containing the barcode that you bring with you.