Meet the opposition | Charlton Athletic
As Swansea City prepare to take on Charlton at The Valley, we take a closer look at the Addicks.
What’s their story?
Charlton are back in the Championship after securing League One play-off success against Sunderland at Wembley back in May.
That ended a three-season stint in the third tier, following relegation from the Championship at the end of the 2015-16 season.
They have enjoyed a handful of spells in the top-flight, including two in the Premier League era, since their formation in 1905.
Their best-ever league finish was second in the old First Division back in 1937, while they were FA Cup winners in 1947.
They last played in the Premier League in 2007, having spent eight out of nine seasons in the top-flight, and have been in either the Championship or League One ever since.
How’s their form?
Excellent. Charlton have enjoyed a dream return to the Championship thus far, and underlined how dangerous a side they can be with their victory over Leeds at the weekend.
That result saw them bounce back from their first defeats of the season against Birmingham and Wigan.
They already have five wins under their belt and occupy sixth place in the table, just one point – but four places – behind the Swans in a congested table.
Who’s the boss?
Lee Bowyer. Having started his playing career at The Valley, the former Leeds and England midfielder has wasted little time making an impact as manager at his former club.
An energetic box-to-box midfielder in his playing days, Bowyer is perhaps best remembered for his stint at Elland Road where he helped Leeds to a Champions League semi-final and to become genuine title challengers.
After leaving Yorkshire he had spells with West Ham, Newcastle, Birmingham and Ipswich, winning the League Cup with the Blues in 2011.
He won a solitary cap for England in a friendly against Portugal in 2002.
Moved into coaching with Watford Under-21s, before becoming assistant to Karl Robinson at Charlton.
He became caretaker boss following Robinson’s departure and was appointed full-time in Spetmeber 2018. He went on to lead them to play-off glory and – after some uncertainty over his future – signed a new one-year deal before the start of the season.
Who are the key men?
Striker Lyle Taylor has carried on his excellent form in League One, the Montserrat forward already has five goals from just six appearances but has been sidelined by injury and looks set to miss out against the Swans.
In his absence, the Londoners can call on Jonathan Leko and Tomer Hemed in attack.
Former Swan Darren Pratley is a regular in the Addicks midfield, where Wales international Jonny Williams has made an impression with his guile and creativity.
At the back another Welshman, Tom Lockyer, has formed an effective partnership with skipper Jason Pearce and was a stand-out performer against Leeds.
