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...
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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