Charlton Athletic review of the week: Olaofe wants sustained run as a starter, FA Cup wins for youngsters and women, Anderson on Championship challenge and Kanu maintains hot streak
It’s the latest Charlton Athletic review of the week - with no shortage of news.
OLAOFE TARGETS RUN AS FIRST-CHOICE STRIKER
Isaac Olaofe is hoping that his start in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Birmingham City is the beginning of a sustained run in the Charlton Athletic team.
The 26-year-old striker, signed in the summer transfer window from Stockport County, played 88 minutes in the West Midlands.
Olaofe created Tyreece Campbell’s second-half equaliser even though it did not go down as an assist, Blues goalkeeper Ryan Allsop pushed his low cross into the path of the Jamaican international.
Olaofe nutmegged Birmingham centre-back Christoph Klarer in the lead up to Campbell’s goal.
“As an attacker you have got to be positive - sometimes you are going to lose the ball and sometimes you are going to beat your man,” said the former Millwall youngster, on post-match media duties. “It was a perfect opportunity to take him on, one-v-one. I poked it through his legs and got the other side of him. Then I put it hard and low across the box.
“TC is a great player. What he does off the ball and on the ball is very much overlooked, but we know what he does for the team. He has got so much talent and ability. He has a bright future ahead of him.”
None of Charlton’s forwards have scored more than once this season.
Olaofe, who struck at Sheffield United in September, was asked if that lack of goals for the frontmen was playing on peoples’ minds. He said: “It can do…but not really.
“I had an opportunity against Coventry that I should’ve scored. Ipswich….I should have scored. But I know those chances are going to keep coming. The minutes I’ve got have been quite limited. In terms of the opportunities I’ve had, I’m quite happy.
“Once you start starting games then you can start building momentum. Momentum is key for me. I become more robust and fans will see what I can truly offer. Today was a glimpse of that.”
The point at Birmingham halted a run of five Championship losses. Next up come fixtures against sides below Charlton in the table - Oxford United, Norwich City and Portsmouth.
“We knew we needed a reaction,” said Olaofe. “A point was the bare minimum needed today. Hopefully this will be the turning point.
“We go into every game looking to win. We’re fully aware of the situation we’re in, we know the teams we are playing make them must-win games.
“We showed our desire and team spirit right until the final whistle.”
Charlton Athletic’s Karoy Anderson on the ball during the Portsmouth match/Picture: Keith Gillard
ANDERSON: CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS CAN MAKE YOU SUFFER
Karoy Anderson has talked about the big difference between Championship and League One football.
The midfielder, 21, made his first start in England’s second tier for the Addicks in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Birmingham City.
Anderson told South London Sport: Charlton Athletic Edition: “The quality is a step above. When the other team has the ball, or we give it away, then you might not see it for another three minutes. Whereas in League One, you can get it back quite quickly.
“Teams at this level will take the ball away from you and make you suffer. As a midfielder it is so important to keep the ball and also it is about how quickly you can get it back.”
Anderson has had to bide his time for opportunities in the league but was also in Nathan Jones’ starting line-up for the abandoned fixture against Portsmouth this month.
“It’s a case of testing myself every day in training, improving every day and waiting for an opportunity,” said the Jamaican international, speaking to this website last Thursday. “It is a game about opportunities and taking them when you get them.”
Asked about the Pompey fixture, which will be rescheduled following the death of Charlton supporter Norman Barker, Anderson put the first-half abandonment into context.
“Football is here all the time,” said the academy product. “We’ll play football tomorrow and we’ll have another game in a week. There are more important matters.
“As much as I may have had a bit of disappointment (that his first Championship start against Portsmouth did not materialise) it is a matter of someone losing their life - the extreme. All the disappointment got pushed to one side - there were prayers and condolences to his family.”
Jamaica face a World Cup play-off against New Caledonia on March 26 with the victor taking on DR Congo for a place at next summer’s tournament.
Anderson’s first memory of the famous competition was the one held in South Africa in 2010.
He said: “You’ve got the one where France won (in 2018). Paul Pogba is one of my favourite players - he scored in the final. The most recent one, with Lionel Messi, was great.
“When you are a kid and watch the Premier League, FA Cup and then you see the World Cup, you really want to be involved in those sorts of things.
“The whole qualifying campaign, and being involved in such an important run of games, is huge for me. There are two more games coming up that hopefully we can do well in.”
YOUNG ADDICKS KNOCK OUT REDS
Charlton’s youngsters produced a hugely impressive result in the FA Youth Cup as they knocked out Liverpool on Saturday.
The Addicks went 3-0 ahead early in the second half of the third round tie, played at Kirkby Academy.
Jack Belton smashed home from 25 yards to put Charlton in front after 18 minutes. Ellis McMillan added a second before the interval with Reuben Reid seeing an attempt come back off the post.
Bradley Tagoe made it 3-0 soon after the restart before the hosts reduced the arrears through Josh Sonni-Lambie and Finn Inglethorpe.
Charlton will find out their next opponents this evening. They have been drawn away to either Watford or Plymouth, whose tie takes place tonight. The fourth round tie must be played by January 24.
Matt Holland competes with Frank Lampard for the ball in the last match between Chelsea and Charlton at The Valley/Picture: Keith Gillard
CHELSEA CUP DRAW
Charlton Athletic will host Chelsea in the FA Cup third round next month - the first meeting between the two clubs since February 2007.
Frank Lampard scored the only goal in the last derby encounter at The Valley.
The tie will be played on the weekend of January 10.
The Addicks’ last FA Cup fixture against the west Londoners was a 3-0 loss at Stamford Bridge in January 1995 in front of a crowd of 24,485. Gavin Peacock, Frank Sinclair and John Spencer netted.
Charlton’s most recent win against that opposition was a 4-2 success in December 2003. Hermann Hreidarsson, Matt Holland, Jonatan Johansson and Jason Euell scored.
The Chelsea game will be played at 8pm on January 10 and will be shown live on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+.
STUFF YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED LAST WEEK ON HERE
Lloyd Jones: I never doubted I could play in the Championship
Post-match pod after the Middlesbrough match
Five talking points following the 2-1 loss to Boro
Nathan Jones on whether Joe Aribo will be a transfer target next month
Charlton boss on Rob Apter’s struggle for first-team minutes and keeping faith in Tyreece Campbell
Post-match pod - Birmingham 1 Charlton 1
Every meaningful word from manager Nathan Jones after draw against the Blues
Five talking points from Birmingham 1 Charlton 1
Karin Muya scores Charlton’s equaliser against Watford/Picture: Keith Gillard
WOMEN RECOVER FROM HORNETS STING TO PROGRESS IN FA CUP
Three second-half goals booked Charlton Athletic’s progression in the Women’s FA Cup as they fought back from trailing to defeat Watford 3-2 at The Valley on Sunday.
Megan Chandler put the Hornets into a 35th-minute lead but it was cancelled out by substitute Karin Muya. The influential Katie Bradley struck shortly before the hour mark for the hosts, who are top of the WSL 2 table.
Keira Flannery struck the woodwork for the Addicks. Gillian Kenney made it 3-1 in the 88th minute.
Coral-Jade Haines collected Watford’s second goal of the afternoon in stoppage time.
The draw for the next round takes place this evening.
Katie Bradley makes it 2-1 to Charlton in their FA Cup tie at The Valley on Sunday/Picture: Keith Gillard
KANU HOT STREAK SHOWS NO SIGNS OF SLOWING
Daniel Kanu scored for the fifth match in a row as Walsall drew 1-1 with Shrewsbury Town on Saturday.
The Charlton Athletic forward, 21, is on a season-long loan with the League Two side.
Kanu’s finish to open the scoring was befitting of a far higher level, producing a thunderbolt right-footed shot from just outside the penalty area beyond Shrews goalkeeper Will Brook.
Kanu has 11 goals in all competitions for Walsall and has netted in seven of his last eight appearances.
The frontman is third in the League Two goal charts with nine.
CASEY LOAN MOVE
Patrick Casey has joined National League South side Dorking Wanderers on loan for the remainder of the season.
The 19-year-old forward previously spent time with Maidstone United in August.
Casey was not included in Dorking boss Marc White’s squad for the FA Trophy penalty shootout loss to Bath City on Saturday.
HEADPHONES NORM HONOURED
Last Tuesday’s Championship match was a first chance for Charlton Athletic fans and players to pay their respects at The Valley since the passing of supporter Norman Barker.
Barker - known as Headphones Norm - died during the first half of the Portsmouth match on December 6. The fixture was abandoned.
The plan was for there to be a minute’s applause before the Championship game between Charlton Athletic and Middlesbrough but it actually ended up being longer than that - supporters began to clap shortly after a video featuring Barker was played on the big screen.
His family were in attendance and had put out a message earlier in the week. It said: “The family of Norman ‘Headphones’ Barker, a beloved brother and uncle, would like to express our sincere and heartfelt thanks to the many people who have responded so kindly and movingly to the news of his sudden and unexpected passing.
“The Charlton Athletic community was Norman’s second family. He was thrilled to have won the 2024-25 Colin Cameron Supporter of the Year award, bringing his trophy to our most recent family party at the time. He was quite clearly a cherished Charlton fan, a friend to many, and very obviously, well loved.
“Norman died doing what he loved so dearly. We, the family, are all truly astounded by the heartfelt tributes, thoughts and prayers that he has received, from the Charlton community and beyond. Your kind words will bring our family much peace and comfort in the difficult times that we will inevitably have to face in the future, now that Norman has left us.”
Charlton Athletic Supporters’ Trust have launched a crowdfunder to raise money for a memorial for Barker. The link to donate is here.
KENT SENIOR CUP EXIT
Charlton bowed out of the Kent Senior Cup on Tuesday at the quarter-final stage after a 3-2 loss at Maidstone United.
Toby Bower put the Addicks into an early lead but they trailed 3-1 by the 80th minute.
Bower failed to convert a penalty as Lenny Holden saved his attempt before Max Kuczynski turned in Bower’s free-kick.