Charlton Athletic vs Bromley (EFL Trophy) preview

Nov 12, 2024

Remember the days when Charlton were a top-half Premier League side?

Back then, they were the definition of Premier League stability, and even ended the 2003-4 season in the lofty heights of 7^th place.

Alas, how the mighty have fallen.

Since their relegation from the Championship in 2019-20, the Addicks haven’t mustered so much as a play-off season in League One. As a result, a sense of malaise has descended over The Valley at times.

The latest manager tasked with bringing back the good times is Nathan Jones (of Luton Town fame).

Jones has overseen the Addicks for 34 games thus far and has only lost 8 of them, but the frustration for Charlton fans is the number of draws in that run. For some, being difficult to beat is a positive, but if promotion is the intention then those draws need to become wins.

In the summer, Charlton made significant moves in the transfer market to justify a push for the postseason.

Gassan Ahadme was the big undisclosed fee signing, and he was joined by notable arrivals in the shape of Greg Docherty (Hull City), Luke Berry (Luton Town), Matty Godden (Coventry City), and former Bromley loanee Alex Mitchell (Millwall).

Many of those signings were made to offset the sale of talisman Alfie May to Birmingham City. The Addicks also lost Corey Blackett-Taylor to Derby County and George Dobson to Wrexham.

This season represents Jones’ first crack at the job with something resembling his own squad. Defensively, the signs look good.

Charlton boast one of the best defensive records in League One but have struggled to find the net regularly in the league.

A total of 15 league goals does not make a promotion team after 14 games. By no means am I saying they can’t get promoted, but this stat will have to improve come the season's end.

That said, all is going well in the Football League Trophy (if this competition matters to them).

A 3-0 win against Chelsea U21s and a 2-1 away win at Cambridge United means the Addicks are already through to the next stage.

This game represents an opportunity for them to rest players and try some of their fringe talent, but that won’t include Karoy Anderson and Kaheim Dixon who have flown out to Jamaica for their Nations League first-leg fixture against the USA.

How much Nathan Jones rotates will be an interesting subplot, especially as their game on Saturday against Peterborough has been called off due to international call-ups.

Will he play the first team given they have no game for two weeks, or will he use it as a welcome rest day?

Andy Woodman faces a similar dilemma in that Saturday’s league game at home to Carlisle United is far more important. However, he will also know that a win against Charlton means qualification for the next stage of the competition.

Given the number of tickets that have been sold, it is fair to say that the Bromley fanbase sees it as a big game; the local context needing no explanation.

I would love to know how many Charlton fans over the years have seen Bromley as their second team. How many divided loyalties will there be tonight?

For what it’s worth, I expect Andy to play his wider squad tonight and leave the ‘big guns’ on the bench, just in case.

Yes, it would be great to see Bromley turn over Charlton on their own patch and advance in the competition, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of playing your strongest team in the league.

With only one defeat in their last eight, Bromley are building a little momentum. The belief has to be that the wider squad can keep that momentum going. Otherwise, why are they in the wider squad?

When your moment comes, seize it with both hands and force Andy to think about future selections.

Then again, maybe I have it wrong. What would you do?

Possible Bromley XI

Long

Jenkinson Reynolds Grant

Imray Leigh Arthurs Topallaj

Congreve

Amantchi Olomola

From Bromley with love

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