Charlton Athletic

In-form sides Hull City and Charlton Athletic will compete to go ahead as they meet at the MKM Stadium on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Both teams currently possess 18 points, with the Addicks two places above the seventh placed Tigers due to goal difference.

But Hull are on a four match unbeaten streak, winning their past three, and will be eager to break into that top six.

• Hull City have won just three of their last 13 league games against Charlton Athletic (D5 L5), though all three have come on home soil during that time.

• Charlton Athletic have lost three of their last four away league games against Hull City (W1), one more than across their prior 16 such matches combined between October 1929 and October 2007.

• Hull have won each of their last two home league games and will be looking to win three in succession for the first time since November 2023.

• Charlton won their last away league game 3-0 vs Ipswich in midweek; they haven't won successive away league games whilst netting 3+ goals in the process since May 2014.

• Joe Gelhardt has either scored (2) or assisted (1) each of Hull's last three Championship goals; it's more goal involvements than in his previous 11 league games (2).

Paul Sullivan
Fan writer

Wowzers - who predicted this stunning scoreline? Perhaps Nathan Jones, though he might have wished for even more goals.

This was no easy task - Ipswich Town, a Premier League side just last season and one of the promotion favourites, stood firm with an unbeaten home record this campaign.

In front of a packed crowd of 28,006, two astute managers clashed, but it was Jones' tactical courage - playing two up front - that helped deliver this win.

Ipswich started with heavy pressure, capitalising on their home advantage but Charlton stood resolute, defending courageously before deciding to fight back. What followed was a magical 12-minute spell in the second half that showcased quality from all three goals.

Sonny Carey's driving runs and sublime left-footed shot opened the scoring.

He then linked beautifully with Conor Coventry for the second goal ending with a Macaulay Gillesphey header.

The third was a masterpiece of determination and skill. Lloyd Jones's tenacity won possession, eventually leading to Tyreece Campbell's exquisite chip onto the head of Miles Leaburn, who celebrated his first Championship goal - a milestone moment.

While Carey and Gillesphey found the net once again, it was refreshing to see a forward get on the scoresheet.

Ipswich's weakness when trailing was evident, echoing their recent struggles after conceding against Middlesbrough.

This 3-0 victory marked Charlton's second consecutive win, a clean sheet against a top contender, and revenge for previous heavy defeats at Portman Road. After the injustice losing to Leicester City in August, this triumph underpinned how this team can compete against top sides.

Confidence is soaring, with Jones emphasising the importance of basics - concentration and avoiding errors.

A blend of last season's League One core and sharp recruitment now sees Charlton fifth in the table, three points off the automatic promotion places and comfortably clear of the relegation zone.

October may be early days, but this result is a landmark. Few teams will take points at Portman Road this year, and the spirited celebrations were well-earned.

The home fans' boos at full-time contrasted sharply with their recent cheers against Norwich, highlighting the impact Charlton has made.

Under our Welsh wizard's leadership, the Addicks have transformed from League One to a respected Championship force, a team no one now underestimates.

Charlton Athletic manager hailed his "aggressive" side after they won 3-0 at Ipswich Town.

"It was a magnificent result - some squad, some team," Jones told BBC Radio London.

"In the first 25 minutes we had to get to grips with it because we were really passive and allowed them to work patterns and get their good players into areas, and we had to defend the box really, really well.

"Then we became more aggressive, got on the front foot a little bit more, and we had four really good chances in the first half.

"At half-time I got into the players and said 'Look, if we want to be passive, these are a good side who will play round you and through you'. In the second half we were really aggressive and went after the game.

"The goals were excellent goals and the game-changers that went on were excellent. It was some performance."

Only Middlesbrough (13) have taken more than Ipswich's 11 home points so far this season with the Suffolk side one of five Championship teams yet to lose on their own turf.

Charlton will arrive in Suffolk with three wins from their past five games, including a last-minute victory at Sheffield United.

• Ipswich have scored 14 goals in their past three league games against Charlton (W2 D1), scoring 4+ goals in each; it's one of only two occasions in their history that they have scored four or more in three successive league meetings with a side (also v Brighton from Dec 1959 to Sep 1960).

• Charlton have lost both of their past two league visits to Ipswich by an aggregate score of 10-0, only ever losing more in a row away to the Tractor Boys from 1996 to 2000 (4).

• Ipswich have won each of their past three home league games, more than their previous 24 beforehand combined (W2 D8 L14).

• After their 2-0 defeat by Preston, Charlton could lose successive away league matches for the first time since November 2024.

• Charlton have won seven of their past eight midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) league games (D1) since a 2-1 defeat at Crawley in December 2024.

Paul Sullivan
Fan writer

Image source, Rex Features

Hats off to the players, management, and staff of Sheffield Wednesday for their resilience amid the off-field turbulence of recent months.

I, for one, would not have tolerated the non-payment of wages. Having experienced it myself back in the day, I know that once it begins, the chances of improvement are slim — the writing is on the wall.

Coming into the contest, I had my concerns.

The Owls were sure to provide a stern test of our credentials, especially given their impressive recent away performances.

Securing three points was crucial, with two tough away fixtures looming on the eastern side of England against Ipswich Town and Hull City respectively.

Sonny Carey deserves immense credit for his contribution to Charlton. I was particularly impressed with his goal — showing great awareness to follow up his initial effort, despite tripping over a Wednesday defender, and calmly slotting the ball home.

James Bree replicated his trademark delivery with a perfect set-piece cross for Reece Burke to make it 2–0, following his assist for Macaulay Gillesphey's goal against Blackburn in the previous home game.

Wednesday manager Henrik Pedersen had noted in his press conference that "good basics" would decide the game — and he wasn't wrong.

Charlton's second-half display may have left something to be desired, but Nathan Jones is primarily focused on one thing: winning football matches.

Many respected pundits say the first 10 games offer a fair indication of how a team's season might unfold.

A return of 15 points and ninth place in the Championship table is a hugely satisfying start - something no Charlton fan could have predicted at the beginning of this new chapter.

Although, perhaps one man did see it coming - our "daddy," Nathan Jones.

Paul Sullivan provides commentary on Charlton Athletic games for the visually impaired.

Charlton manager Nathan Jones felt his side could have killed the game off in the first half with a little more ruthlessness, after their 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday.

He told BBC Radio London: "I'm delighted that we won because you come out of these international breaks and never know what you're going to get. People have had two weeks off, you've had internationals who have travelled around the world, you never know.

"First half we were good. We scored two goals and with a little bit more killer instinct we'd have scored more. Charlie [Kelman] has had two situations where he could score, [James] Bree has out in some wonderful balls that, again, we could score from - two was the least we should have had.

"We warned [our players] at half time because we've watched them [Wednesday] a number of times and they've been 2-0 down twice and come back to 2-2, and they should have won the Wrexham 3-2 or 4-2 so we knew there was a sting in the tail if we didn't do what we did.

"We almost had that but we saw the game out really well and came strong late on."

Amid the news that Sheffield Wednesday are set to be served a winding-up petition, the Owls will look to earn some positivity when they visit Charlton Athletic on Saturday (15:00 BST).

As it stands, the struggling side still have a chance of escaping the bottom three and could go as high as 19th with a win.

The petition is just the latest in a long line of turmoil at the club though, and with many fans choosing to forgo away trips in order to punish owner Dejphon Chansiri, Charlton may spy an opportunity to rise out of the mid-table and get closer to the top six.

• Charlton Athletic are winless in their last seven league games against Sheffield Wednesday (D1 L6), failing to score in six of those matches.

• Sheffield Wednesday have won two of their last three away league games against Charlton Athletic (D1), as many as in their previous eight visits (D3 L3).

• Charlton have won 14 of their last 18 home league matches (D3 L1), while in 2025 they have 12 home league wins – they last had more in a single year in 2019 (13).

• Sheffield Wednesday have conceded the most goals in the Championship this season (20) – it's the earliest into a league campaign (9 games) that they've conceded that many since 2012-13 (also 20 in first 9 games).

• James Bree has been involved in four goals in five Championship appearances this season for Charlton (2 goals, 2 assists) – he has a goal or assist every 89 minutes, the fourth-best ratio of any player with 300+ minutes for any side this season.

Image source, Getty Images

Midfielder Conor Coventry has been called up by the Republic of Ireland for Tuesday's 2026 World Cup qualifier with Armenia.

Charlton Athletic's Coventry replaces Josh Cullen, who is suspended after collecting his second booking of the campaign in Saturday's dramatic 1-0 defeat by Portugal.

Heimir Hallgrimsson's side have one point from three matches and were stunned 2-1 by Armenia in the reverse fixture in September.

The Republic know they must win in Dublin on Tuesday to have any realistic chance of finishing in the top two in Group F.

It was initially hoped that Celtic defender Liam Scales would join the squad following a family bereavement, but he will also miss the qualifier with Armenia.

The Football Association of Ireland said is passed on its "deepest sympathies to Liam and his family at this difficult time".

Image source, Getty Images

Charlton Athletic and Ipswich Town lead the manager and player of the month awards for September after both sides have remained undefeated and climbed up the Championship table.

Tractor Boys winger Jaden Philogene has been nominated for player of the month after finding the net four times across the side's three completed matches in September, including a hat-trick during their 5-0 drubbing over Sheffield United.

Charlton's James Bree bagged two goals and two assists over their four games to earn his nod.

Addicks boss Nathan Jones and Ipswich's Kieran McKenna both earn manager of the month nominations for their roles in their unbeaten months but face tough competition against Preston North End's Paul Heckingbottom and Queens Park Rangers' Julien Stephen.

Both also enjoyed an undefeated September, with Preston and QPR currently residing in the top six.

Sheffield Wednesday captain Barry Bannan and Hull City's Ollie McBurnie round out the player nominations.

McBurnie scored in each of the side's four games to produce five goals in September, while Bannan helped earn Wednesday five points with an opening goal in their first league win of the season against Portsmouth and two assists.

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham Hotspur are set to appoint Charlton academy manager Tom Pell into a leading position in their youth-set up.

Championship club Charlton last week confirmed that Pell would leave the club in December to take up a role at a Premier League side.

And BBC Sport understands Pell will join Spurs in the coming months where he will take up the role of head of academy operations and administration.

He will replace Danetta Powell, who is leaving Tottenham.

Pell was appointed as the Addicks' academy manager in May 2022, arriving from Cambridge where he spent 16 years.

Now, he will move across London to take up the senior position with Spurs' academy set-up.

Paul Sullivan
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

You know when they say - may the best team win? Well, they did.

Preston may have been fortuitous with their first goal with the contentious throw-in and a wicked deflection but overall it was a deserved win due to their overall dominance of play.

Going into the game, I must confess to having a sense of foreboding. We very rarely get anything up at Deepdale. I do remember one triumph - a 2-0 win following our relegation from the Premier League in 2007 with goals from Chinese international Zheng Zhi and Luke Varney.

PNE have already taken some notable scalps at home this season, defeating Leicester and Ipswich, who were both competing in the Premier League in 2024-25.

However, Hull did demonstrate in their previous game, you could get around their defence, but once again, our assorted collection of forward players failed to deliver.

It took a deflection off Kayne Ramsay following a shot from former Charlton player Thierry Small to break the deadlock.

It had to be Small, didn't it? Charlton fans never learn. If you goad a player, it can come back to haunt you. Just ask Macauley Bonne. Guess it's all part of our wonderful football banter.

Nathan Jones was rather perplexed when receiving a yellow card from referee James Linington at the final whistle, as he sought to book an appointment in the referees' room regarding the throw-in incident and also one or two other decisions.

There was no caution for me when I politely enquired his reasoning for sending off Christian Dailly in a match at Leyton Orient in 2010. I was introduced to him the following day on his home turf in the Isle of Wight at an FA Cup qualifying match between Newport IOW and Kidlington (groundhopping adventure). A most pleasant chap.

So, all in all, a bad day at the office. Tiredness, inclement weather, lack of fluidity, etc. Whatever it was, we can still be satisfied with our 12-point haul after nine games.

One aspect for Jones to ponder over the next fortnight in this international break, is whether to reshuffle our forward pack. Personally, I would favour Tanto Olaofe and Miles Leaburn.

One thing is for sure, Jones will not rest as he continually strives to evolve this south-east London sleeping giant.

Paul Sullivan provides commentary on Charlton Athletic games for the visually impaired.

Image source, Rex Features

Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones has said he feels "let down" by the officials at Deepdale following his side's 2-0 away loss to Preston.

Efforts from Thierry Small and Daniel Jebbison ended Charlton's four game unbeaten run but Jones felt aggrieved especially by Small's goal to which he felt there was a foul in the build up.

The former Southampton manager was booked at full time for confronting referee James Linington.

"They scored the first goal—forget the second, because we were trying to chase the game, changed shape, tried to go after it - but it's always going to be about the first goal.

"I got let down by a decision of the officials. They then went up the other side and scored, and that's my real disappointment.

On what he said to the referee at full time, Jones said: "Literally didn't say anything to him, but apparently, I'll get clarity on why I've been booked, because I don't know—I didn't say anything.

"I said, I'm going to come in and see you, [with] my arms at my side, no dissent, nothing at all about being booked. It's easy for them to do pretty much what they want.

"They can cost us a game or make decisions that contribute heavily to us losing, but I'm the one that gets punished—and double punished. So I'll go in and get clarity, because I have no idea why I've been booked."

These two sides have made bright starts to the Championship campaign with Preston unbeaten at home and Charlton having not lost in their past four matches.

• Preston North End have won each of their past four league games against Charlton Athletic, with this their first meeting with the London side since a 2-1 victory in January 2020.

• Charlton Athletic have won just one of their past 20 away league games against Preston North End since 1955 (D5 L14).

• Preston North End have kept two clean sheets in their past three Championship matches, as many as they kept in their previous 19 league games.

• Charlton Athletic have won just two of their past seven league matches (D3 L2), this after winning five of their six league matches prior to this run (L1).

• James Bree has been involved in 50% of Charlton Athletic's goals in the Championship this season (4/8), providing two assists and scoring two goals for the Addicks.

Charlton Athletic managing director Jim Rodwell says he is delighted with how the newly-promoted Championship side's summer player recruitment panned out.

The Addicks brought in 11 new faces after promotion from League One through the play-offs - and sit ninth in the table with a 12-point haul from eight games.

"It's been an immensely rewarding summer, but it's been incredibly hectic, incredibly busy," Rodwell told BBC Radio London.

"Clearly, we start off behind the eight ball [after the play-off final] but it's been good, we're incredibly privileged to be in this position and we wouldn't change it for anything.

"A lot of people worked incredibly hard last season to make this happen and this summer was testing, it was trying, but ultimately rewarding.

"We absolutely had two plans, a plan to play in League One and a plan to be in the Championship. We knew the players we wanted to sign, we had two budgets so we'd done the work, doing the work is the reasonably easy bit.

"We had a fixed plan, but you've got to execute it in less time you ordinarily might have done if you had won automatic promotion.

"I think we got promoted on a Sunday and I met [head coach] Nathan Jones on the Monday morning afterwards, with slightly sore heads in a cafe in Greenwich and that's when we started."

Listen to the full interview and more on BBC Sounds.

Paul Sullivan
Addicks fan writer

Image source, Rex Features

Cast your mind back to February 2024 when Charlton Athletic last visited Pride Park.

Nathan Jones had only recently joined us and the club were in a precarious position. There were real fears about relegation to League Two, but we chalked up an excellent 2-1 win after initially trailing, with goals from Alfie May and Karoy Anderson.

It kick-started our fortunes under Jones and here we were, back in Derby some 19 months later, competing in the upper echelons of the Championship.

So, after this 1-1 draw against the Rams, we are four matches unbeaten in this unforgiving league - a marvellous early autumnal run in September.

Our goal was a wonderful fusion of team play, allied with James Bree's superb composure, technique and execution.

By the way, where has he been hiding? He's just literally come into the building. We don't play 4-4-2 but he's all over it with 4-2-2. Four matches - two goals, two assists. What an impact!

However, Derby County have already demonstrated on a few occasions this season they can recover from being a goal behind and so it proved to Charlton's cost.

It was encouraging to see our new goalkeeper, Thomas Kaminski, forced into action, making two fine saves on the night.

It was also good to see Luke Berry back amongst our ranks, albeit as an unused substitute.

To counter this, Josh Edwards is to see a specialist concerning the ankle injury he sustained in the home win over Blackburn Rovers, which is a worrying sign.

To augment his consistent midfield performances, captain Greg Docherty is fast becoming Bree's personal goal assistant as the two combined in consecutive matches.

One concern is the extent to which we were on the back foot as Derby poured forward. We could face more of the same up at Preston on Saturday, so we need to find ways of wrestling the initiative off teams, particularly on our travels.

Despite this, we still had a couple of chances towards the end of the contest.

Us fans share Nathan Jones' "mixed emotions" as psychologically, it's always disappointing to relinquish a lead, especially as you start to reach the latter stages of the match.

My post-match musings rest on it being a fair result.

Paul Sullivan provides commentary on Charlton Athletic games for the visually impaired.

Image source, Rex Features

Charlton Athletic head coach Nathan Jones spoke to BBC Radio London after his side's 1-1 draw with Derby County:

"Relatively pleased. Any point on the road in the Championship is a good point.

"Once we've taken the lead we would have liked to have gone on and probably had a bit more control of the game but full credit to Derby, Derby gave it everything.

"They were playing with a front four, [they] left four up at times and had runners.

"Both sides had chances. They had a chance before they scored and then we had three late on that maybe could have nicked it.

"So there's mixed emotions but I'm happy that we haven't got beaten and it's another point on the board."

Image source, Opta

Derby go in search of their first home win of the campaign as Charlton head to Pride Park on Tuesday (20:00 BST).

Saturday's 1-1 draw at Wrexham made it five points from their past three away games for the Rams, but they have begun the season with a single point from three home games, and went down 1-0 to Preston in their most recent fixture in front of their own fans to extend their winless streak at home to six games, dating back to last season.

County are fourth-bottom with six points from seven games, five fewer than the Addicks, who sit seventh after back-to-back wins, at Sheffield United and then 3-0 at home to Blackburn on Saturday.

Nathan Jones' men have kept four clean sheets in their opening seven matches, including two in their three away games.

• Derby lost their last league meeting with Charlton 2-1 in February 2024, but haven't lost back-to-back league games versus the Addicks since January 1984.

• After their 2-1 win in February 2024, Charlton could win back-to-back away league visits to Derby for the first time since December 1962 (4 in a row).

• Derby have alternated between drawing (3) and losing (3) their past six home league games; they had won three in a row on home soil prior to this.

• Charlton have won four of their past seven away league games (D1 L2), beating Sheffield United 1-0 in their most recent.

• Charlton's Nathan Jones has only lost one of his seven previous managerial league games against Derby (W3 D3), falling to a 0-2 defeat with Luton in April 2021.

Paul Sullivan
Addicks fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

One week on from singing in the rain while Blackburn were left seething in it, Charlton fans left The Valley with even broader smiles and even fewer doubts.

A second consecutive win, this time a commanding 3–0 victory over Rovers, has injected real belief into the Addicks faithful.

Nathan Jones' side were absolutely relentless, with and without the ball, and did justice to the Latin motto on Blackburn's badge, Arte et Labore which translates as skill and hard work.

Only, it was Charlton who lived up to that mantra against a club who finished seventh in the Championship last season.

Defensively, the Addicks were rock solid. Blackburn failed to register a single notable effort that troubled Thomas Kaminski, thanks in no small part to a disciplined and united back line.

The injury to Josh Edwards could have been a disruption, but Macauley Gillesphey - the Wembley hero who has had to bide his time - stepped in seamlessly. And not only did he do his defensive duties with class, he marked his return with a goal, too.

Much has been made about the influx of ex-Luton players at Charlton under Jones, but the truth is simple - they're here on merit.

Their experience, character, and understanding of the manager's demands are clear to see.

In midfield, Sonny Carey has slotted in superbly alongside last season's stalwarts Greg Docherty and Conor Coventry.

That trio has created a tidal wave of energy and invention, allowing the front players, Tyreece Campbell, Charlie Kelman, Tanto Olaofe and Miles Leaburn, to flourish despite their lack of goals.

Carey, in particular, is fast becoming a fan favourite. He's now scored in back-to-back home games and brings a fearless swagger to the middle of the park.

With competition from the likes of Harvey Knibbs and Luke Berry, his performances are showing real maturity and intent. When his chance came in front of goal, there was no hesitation, just a cool, clinical finish. Passing wasn't on his mind.

This was a performance that oozed confidence from back to front. Three goals, a clean sheet, and a Valley crowd that acted as the 12th man throughout.

Charlton are showing they're here to compete, not just survive, in the Championship. Home or away, this side is fearless.

Long may that continue.

Paul Sullivan provides commentary on Charlton Athletic games for the visually impaired.