It’s a trip across town to Charlton Athletic in the League Cup on Tuesday, and for the latest on Ben Garner’s new-look League One outfit we caught up with Lewis Catt from the Charlton Live podcast.

From seventh in your first season back at League One to thirteenth last, I guess that's a significant disappointment?

Massively, yeah. I think all Charlton fans had a sense of optimism last season especially off the back of that seventh place finish from the season before which, at points did not look likely. Lee Bowyer left and Nigel Adkins came in and made a bit of an impact, we made a late dash for the play offs but to be honest we were probably a few results too late.

Why did a promotion push not materialise?

I think the biggest shock of last season was just how opposite we were under the same manager. It felt like Nigel couldn’t get his ideas across or the team firing. When he was dismissed in October 2021 the Addicks were twenty-second in the league and four points from safety, our worst league position on record. Johnnie Jackson came in and there was a renewed hope, and we went on a great run under him when he was caretaker manager, but you can’t help but feel the damage was already done and most Charlton fans had written the season off by Christmas.

Johnnie Jackson, only given six months, what did you make of that decision?
It was a decision that hurt, Johnnie Jackson has been a flawless servant to Charlton Athletic since he joined the club permanently back in 2010. Twelve years is a very long time in football and for a generation of Charlton fans he is probably the first legend they all know. But last season simply wasn’t good enough and even after a renewed sense of hope our form dipped again under Jacko which led to some criticism of maybe being a bit stubborn tactically and not changing the system. I felt he deserved the summer to bring in the players he wanted to suit this system and to make a go of it but Thomas Sandgaard made the call to make a change days after our 4-0 final day defeat at Ipswich Town.

Charlton’s 2022/23 so far…
Accrington 2-2 Charlton McConville 69, Adedoyin 90 — Fraser 36, Leaburn 90
Charlton 1-0 Derby Taylor 62

We all enjoyed the 'we'll incorporate Swindon' video, first of all what have you made of the new manager?

It was very good wasn’t it! I was a bit sceptical at first, we had seen all sorts of names linked to the job which traditionally do have more experience than Ben Garner at this level and above and his appointment did come out of nowhere. I must say though since he has come in he has been great. The style of play he wants to implement is exciting, he has great experience with younger players which is critical for a club like Charlton with the fantastic academy we have here. Expectations are maybe slightly lower among fans this season due to how poor last season was and this may work in Ben’s favour and buy him more time to really rubber stamp that playing style into his Addicks side.

And second, what business have you done this window?
I think so far, we have done some very clever recruitment. I stated above about Garner having a set style of play and the players we have signed so far definitely fit into the mould of attacking and possession football he wants us to play. First in the door was Eoghan O’Connell, a ball playing defender who impressed at Rochdale followed by two familiar faces for Ben Garner in Mandela Egbo and Joe Wollacott. Both players were part of Garner’s Swindon town side last term. The acquisition of Wollacott has been the most interesting as he has taken the number 1 jersey from last season’s first choice goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray. Wollacott is more of a sweeper keeper which again fits in to the Garner mould. Next in the door was Conor McGrandles a midfielder from Lincoln City and then the loan signing of Steven Sessegnon. The latest incoming at Charlton was another former Swindon Town recruit, attacking midfielder Jack Payne. All the signings strengthen required areas.

Ins >>> Jack Payne, 27, AM, Swindon, Free >>> Joe Wollacott, 25, GK, Swindon, Free >>> Mandela Egbo, 24, RB, Swindon (always the same), Free >>> Conor McGrandles, 26, CM, Lincoln, Free >>> Eoghan O’Connell, 26, CB, Rochdale, Free >>>Steven Sessegnon, 22, RB, Fulham, Loan

Outs >>> Josh Davison, 22, CF, Wimbledon, Undisclosed >>>Chris Gunter, 32, RB, Wimbledon, Free >>>Ben Purrington, 26, LB, Ross County, Free >>> Adam Matthews, 30, RB, Nikosia, Free >>> Conor Washington, 30, CF, Rotherham, Free >>> Hady Ghandour, 22, CF, Maidstone, Free >>> Stephen Henderson, 34, GK, Released >>> Pape Souare, 32, LB, Released >>>Ben Watson, 36, CM, Released Ashley Maynard-Brewer, 23, GK, Gillingham, Loan >>>Deji Elerewe, 18, CB, Wealdstone, Loan

How do you rate the new lads?

I think they all have the potential to make impacts. It is early in the season of course but I have been very impressed with Joe Wollacott so far. Steven Sessegnon also looks like a great loan signing for us and brings some Championship quality to the side. I personally am very excited about the acquisition of Jack Payne. He is a goal scoring midfielder which is something we have been crying out for. With Scott Fraser also fit again, we could see him and Payne lighten the load on the goalscoring responsibilities which last season fell solely at the feet (or head) of Jayden Stockley.

What's still to be done?

I think we still need a few more. I think a left footed centre half would be useful but the biggest need here is for a striker. With just Jayden Stockley fit at the moment we run the risk of overloading academy prospect Miles Leaburn and this would not be fair on the Addicks youngster. Stockley is captain so I cannot see another first choice striker coming in, but maybe someone who can play out wide or through the middle. My choice would be another Swindon player in Harry McKirdy.

What have you made of your pre-season/initial games?

Pre-season was good, we saw some good early signs of the football Garner wants to play. Plenty of goals in our clashes against Colchester and Dartford which were both very enjoyable games followed by an unlucky defeat against Swansea City.

Stand out players and weak links in the team?
For me last season’s player of the year George Dobson will always stand out, but it remains to be seen how much his role changes in this Ben Garner set up. Sean Clare also was outstanding last season, and his versatility will be crucial for Garner this season. Weak links for me remain in the final third. I have concerns over Stockley playing alone up front. Jayden is a goal scorer at this level, but we saw his best performances last season when partnered up front with Conor Washington. Garner likes to play 4-3-3 so Stockley will need to feed off good delivery from wider players which is something we lack at the moment. Corey Blackett-Taylor is no doubt a dangerman, but he could make some improvements to his end product.

How do you see this season going?

I think we can mount a challenge for top six, but I also think Garner needs to be given the time to succeed. If this season does not end in a top six finish, then improvement on last season is definitely a must. I will be very disappointed if we are not in the top ten.

Links >>> Charlton official website >>> South London Press — Local press >>> Charlton Live — Podcast >>> Into The Valley — Message Board >>> Forever Charlton — Blog

The Twitter @loftforwords, @LewisCatt9

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