This Week's Opposition: Charlton Athletic

Pompey sealed their place in the knockout stages of the EFL Trophy when they defeated Leyton Orient by 2 goals to 1 on Tuesday night. Next up for John Mousinho’s side is a return to league action and a return also to Fratton Park, after 4 consecutive away matches.

This weekend’s League One programme sees Portsmouth welcome Charlton Athletic to the South Coast, a side who have won each of their previous 7 competitive visits to PO4 - 9 if you include the 2 pre-season meetings in 2013 and 2014.

The Blues have not beaten The Addicks on home soil since the 9th of April, 2005 - Yakubu, Steve Stone, Diomansy Kamara and Lomana LuaLua were all on the scoresheet in a 4-2 victory in the Premier League on that day, over 18-and-a-half years ago.

Let’s delve deeper now and find out what this season’s Charlton are made of…

MANAGER

Former Pompey boss Michael Appleton is currently the manager of Charlton Athletic.

The 47-year-old was unveiled as The Addicks new boss on the 8th of September, when he succeeded Dean Holden at the South London club.

Holden was dismissed a couple of weeks prior, between such time ex-Blues defender Jason Pearce took charge on an interim basis.

Since leaving Fratton Park in 2012, Appleton has managed the likes of Blackpool, Oxford United and Lincoln City.

The former Preston North End and West Bromwich Albion midfielder took charge of Blackpool on 2 separate occasions, returning to Bloomfield Road last June, however he only lasted until January of this year.

Appleton had 8 months out of a job before his appointment at The Valley in September, where he has since picked up 5 wins from 11 competitive games in charge.

ONE TO WATCH

Our nominated player to keep an eye on for this match is attacking midfielder Corey Blackett-Taylor, who represents Charlton with the squad number 23.

Blackett-Taylor, who moved to The Valley on an initial short-term deal in August 2021, had been a free agent for a few months after leaving Tranmere Rovers following the expiration of his contract.

The wide player impressed during that spell and was rewarded with an extension.

Overall this season, the 26-year-old has managed 10 goal contributions in League One - including 5 goals and 5 assists since the start of the campaign.

The attacking midfielder predominantly plays on the wing and is strongest on his right foot.

TOP SCORER

With 11 goals from 14 league appearances this season, 30-year-old forward Alfie May is currently Charlton’s leading scorer.

May is also the joint top goalscorer in the whole of League One alongside Barnsley’s Devante Cole.

It was announced that the striker had signed for The Addicks from Cheltenham Town back in May and he has so far featured in all bar 1 of their league fixtures thus far, missing only the 1-1 draw away at Stevenage on September the 16th.

On Friday morning, May was named the SkyBet League One Player of the Month for October, during such time be bagged 7 goals from 7 league appearances.

At Fratton Park this weekend, you’ll be able to spot the right-footed forward by the number 9 on the back of his Charlton shirt.

CURRENT FORM

As they have been now for a number of seasons, Charlton are currently occupying a position in mid-table.

The Addicks sit in 11th place after an accumulation of 21 points from their opening 15 games. Michael Appleton’s side have a goal difference of +4 and have scored 25 league goals since the start of the campaign, the same amount Pompey have managed, however the Blues have only conceded 10 compared to the 21 Charlton have let in.

Last time out, they were held to a 1-1 draw in The FA Cup First Round by non-league outfit Cray Valley Paper Mills, who will host Charlton in a replay next Wednesday.

Prior to that shock result, The Addicks had been on a mixed run of form, winning 2, drawing 1 and losing 2 of their previous 5 league matches.

Their most recent game in League One took place on Halloween, when they secured a 3-2 victory away at Wigan Athletic.

So can Pompey finally beat Charlton at Fratton Park, or will The Addicks secure a 10th consecutive victory at PO4?

Pompey Live will be on hand with all of the unmissable action as Portsmouth host Charlton Athletic at Fratton Park - Coverage commences this Saturday (November 11th) from 2pm with Robbie James, Jake Smith and Cherelle Khassal providing full analysis of the game.

Kick-off: 3pm!