Meet the opposition | Charlton Athletic
As Swansea City prepare to host Charlton Athletic in their first game of 2020, 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?
Heading in the wrong direction. Charlton enjoyed an excellent start to the season but their Boxing Day win over Bristol City was their first since the middle of October, and they have been beset by injury problems.
That run, which included a sequence of just four points taken from a possible 33 - has seen them slide down the table towards the Championship relegation zone.
Home form has been a particular issues, with five defeats suffered at The Valley with only five wins on home turf.
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 initially carried on his excellent form in League One, the Montserrat forward already had five goals from just six appearances before injury sidelined him.
But he is back fit again and a vital figure for the visitors.
In his absence, the Londoners have called on Jonathan Leko in attack with the former West Brom man netting five goals, but it has been Macauley Bonne who has really stepped up to the plate with eight goals, including a brace in that win over Bristol City.
Injuries have also seen Tomer Hemed and Wales internationals Jonny Williams ruled out for long spells, leaving Bowyer short of options.
At the back another Welshman, Tom Lockyer, has proved an excellent acquisition, while former Swan Darren Pratley has been a regular in the Charlton midfield.
