Charlton Athletic review of the week - League One owner claims Addicks hijacked defender deal, Docherty targets response after Saints first-half horror show and women bow out of cup competition
It’s the latest review of the week, covering all the major stories from the previous seven days.
Greg Docherty in action against Southampton
Picture: Keith Gillard
DOC: EVERYONE STUNNED BY PERFORMANCE AGAINST SAINTS
Greg Docherty has promised that Charlton Athletic will produce a response at Stoke City on Tuesday night after Saturday’s 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Southampton.
All the goals came in the first half in SE7 with the Saints, revitalised under interim manager Tonda Eckert, scoring four times in eight minutes.
It was left to the Addicks captain to do the player post-match interview to the written media.
“You could sense the stadium was stunned,” said Docherty. “We all looked stunned. I’ve never really felt like that before in a Charlton strip. They were playing some flowing football.
“We had moments last season, damaging results, and we bounced back really well. The manager has said his bit already [in the dressing room] and tomorrow (Sunday) will be a big one where we really go and analyse it.
“The basics weren’t there, which is something we’re really good at. It felt like everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. I want to say sorry to our supporters, they didn’t deserve it. They have driven us over the line to get good results and today wasn’t that day.
“They looked sharper and they were clinical, but we allowed them to be clinical. We let the manager down and everyone [else]. We’ve had praise for what we have done and criticism will rightly come our way after today. It’s about looking at ourselves in the mirror, there’s no-one else to blame.
“We will absolutely own this result, you’ll see a different team on Tuesday that wants to come out fighting, the team we’ve seen so often.”
Amelie Threstrup scored Charlton’s winning goal
Picture: Keith Gillard
WOMEN BOW OUT OF LEAGUE CUP DESPITE VICTORY
Charlton Athletic Women won 2-1 at Southampton on Sunday to finish second in League Cup Group C.
But that result was not enough to see Karen Hills’ side qualify for the next stage of the competition as they missed out due to goal difference.
Former Addicks striker Ellie Brazil put the Saints ahead in the 70th minute but the visitors mounted a spirited late comeback.
Charlotte Newsham equalised in the 89th minute and Amelie Thestrup converted Karin Muya’s cross in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
Hills told the club’s X account: “Scoring two late goals just shows where this group is in terms of mindset, grit, determination and character. I’m really pleased with everyone’s performance today.
“We finished block two in a really positive way, exactly what we wanted to see. It is an opportunity now for us to get a little bit of rest and recovery while the international players go away.
“I’ve said to the players to reflect on that block of work and be proud of it. Yes, we want to move on and focus on the next game, but also you’ve got to give yourselves a pat on the back because that block of work has been tremendous.
“We’ll be hungry to go into block three. There is a great energy and atmosphere around the group - I want us to really embrace that.”
Picture: Keith Gillard
POSH OWNER: CHARLTON HIJACKED OUR DEAL FOR KAYNE RAMSAY
Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony has revealed that Charlton Athletic gazumped them for the signature of Kayne Ramsay in February 2024.
The Addicks signed the defender from Harrogate Town.
MacAnthony, speaking on his podcast The Hard Truth, talked about Ramsay when discussing Posh’s attempts at the time to secure a replacement for Peter Kioso.
“We had done a deal for him - it was done,” said the Irishman. “We had agreed with Harrogate and agreed with the player and agent. It basically changed on the day he was coming up.
“My scouts pulled him up - a bombing right-back or right wing-back who was probably better than PK at the time.
“When I see leaks, my biggest fear when it tips people off, is that a Ramsay will happen - that a bigger club with a bigger wage bill will go bang and steal that player. Hence why I lose my shit when I see stuff come out before it is time to come out. We couldn’t pay the money that a Charlton could at that time.
“We had spent a week working on that deal with Harrogate. He turned out to be a phenomenally good right-back or right wing-back.”
Picture: Sky Bet
MBICK WINS GOAL OF THE MONTH AWARD
Life is good for Micah Mbick.
Fresh off winning his first England U20 cap during the most recent international break, the on-loan Addicks striker has won October’s League Two Goal of the Month competition.
Mbick’s superb lobbed finish over Grimsby goalkeeper Christy Pym earned him the accolade.
The 19-year-old is on a season-long loan at Colchester United.
Lead Sky Bet EFL Goal of the Month judge and Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman, also a striker during his playing days, said: “Micah Mbick showed brilliance, tenacity and desire to turn what was a hopeful ball up the pitch into a goal for his side.
“A magnificent first touch bamboozled the defender, before he confidently lifted the ball over the on rushing keeper.”
Mbick told Colchester’s official website: “We’re an exciting team attacking-wise, we can score in lots of different ways, and with that goal I was able to show a bit of quality.
“A great moment for me. As a striker, it’s my job to affect those areas and do the best for the team.”
Mbick scored his sixth goal of the season in Colchester’s 3-1 win at Notts County on Saturday.
And while we’re discussing Charlton frontmen out on loan, Daniel Kanu bagged the opener in Walsall’s 2-0 away victory against Harrogate Town. Don’t miss our exclusive interview with Kanu here.
Picture: Keith Gillard
JENSEN BACK AT THE VALLEY
Steve Brown has been working his magic - and connections - with the former players he has brought back to The Valley.
Some of the recent ones to be introduced to home fans before matches include Chris Powell, Andy Hunt, Mark Kinsella and Claus Jensen.
Danish midfielder Jensen did an exclusive Q&A in Club 1905 on Saturday before stepping back on to the turf he graced with such aplomb. He scored 10 goals in 133 first-team matches for the Addicks.
Brown leads Charlton’s Ex-Players’ Association.
WORLD CUP PLAY-OFFS NEXT YEAR
A number of Charlton Athletic’s squad are set to be involved in World Cup play-off matches next year.
The draw took place on Thursday afternoon and Conor Coventry’s Republic of Ireland were drawn away to Czech Republic. If they win that tie it secures a home final against either Denmark or North Macedonia.
Coventry made his senior bow in the 2-0 win over Portugal on November 13. He was an unused sub as Ireland defeated Hungary 3-2 three days later - Troy Parrott scoring a hat-trick - to secure second place in Group F.
While there was elation at Ireland keeping alive their hopes of featuring in next summer’s showpiece, Jamaica’s players were far more downbeat after minnows Curacao took the automatic qualification spot in Concacaf Group B with a 0-0 draw in Kingston.
Head coach Steve McClaren quit immediately after the match. He said: “Leading this team has been one of the greatest honours of my career but football is a results business and tonight we have fallen short of our goal, which was to qualify from this group.”
Tyreece Campbell was an unused substitute in the match with Kaheim Dixon, on loan at Crawley Town, coming on in the 58th minute.
As I’ve booked flights & hotel in Prague, I’m hoping that Conor’s Ireland are playing the Czechs next March and NOT Croatia!!! 😉