A closer look at the Addicks ahead of Wanderers' trip to The Valley
Ahead of Wanderers' trip to Charlton Athletic this bank holiday weekend, bwfc.co.uk take a closer look at Russell Slade's side...
SEASON SO FAR…
After suffering relegation from the Sky Bet Championship last season, Charlton Athletic have had a busy summer as they look to the English second tier at the first time of asking.
Appointing former Cardiff City manager Russell Slade as their new boss back in June, the Addicks have brought in Nicky Ajose, Andrew Crofts, Kevin Foley, Ricky Holmes, Josh Magennis, Lee Novak and Jason Pearce, as well as Jordan Botaka and Declan Rudd on season-long loan deals.
Having opened their campaign with a 2-0 defeat at Bury, Charlton also suffered a premature exit from the EFL Cup after they were knocked out by Sky Bet League Two side Cheltenham Town.
However, after drawing with Northampton Town, the Addicks have recorded back-to-back wins heading into Saturday's clash at The Valley, with Holmes and Ajose both registering braces for their new club along the way.
Currently sitting fifth in the table, Charlton will keen to end Wanderers' 100% start to the season as they look to extend their own unbeaten run.
RECENT FORM
• D 1-1 - RKC Waalwijk H - (Pre-Season Friendly, 30/7/16)
• L 2-0 - Bury A - (Sky Bet League One, 6/8/16)
• L 1-0 - Cheltenham Town A - (EFL Cup, 9/8/16)
• D 1-1 - Northampton Town H - (Sky Bet League One, 13/8/16)
• W 3-0 - Shrewsbury Town H - (Sky Bet League One, 16/8/16)
• W 1-2 - Walsall A - (Sky Bet League One, 20/8/16)
THE MANAGER: RUSSELL SLADE
Replacing Jose Riga as Charlton Athletic manager in June, Russell Slade has been tasked with leading the Addicks' promotion charge as they look to ensure their stint in Sky Bet League One is a brief one.
Embarking on his first steps into management with Notts County as caretaker boss in the mid-nineties, he spent time with non-league sides Armitage and Leicester United before enjoying two stints as Sheffield United's caretaker manager.
Following stints with Scarborough, Grimsby Town, Yeovil Town and Brighton & Hove Albion, he joined Leyton Orient in April 2010 before replacing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Cardiff City in October 2014.
Later named the Bluebirds' head of football back in May, Slade left the post the following month to take over at Charlton Athletic and recorded his first victory as Addicks manager in their last home outing against Shrewsbury Town.
KEY PLAYER: NICKY AJOSE
A summer signing from Swindon Town, Nicky Ajose joined Charlton Athletic in an £800k deal after scoring an impressive 25 goals during his solitary season with the Robins.
Coming through the ranks at Manchester United, the forward enjoyed a prolific loan stint with Bury before signing for Peterborough United in July 2011.
Further loan spells with Scunthorpe United, Chesterfield, Crawley Town, Bury and Swindon Town followed before the former England youth international joined Leeds United permanently in August 2014.
Signing for Swindon Town last September after spending time on loan at Crewe Alexandra, Ajose opened his Charlton account in the Addicks' last outing, firing home a brace in their 2-1 victory over Walsall.
LAST CHARLTON ATHLETIC XI (v Walsall, W1-2)
Rudd, Foley, Pearce, Solly, Fox, Jackson (Lookman 58), Crofts, Holmes (Holmes-Dennis 80), Konsa Ngoyo, Magennis, Ajose (Bauer 84).
LAST TIME WE MET
Finding themselves 2-0 down early on in their last visit to The Valley, goals from Emile Heskey and Josh Vela's first ever senior goal saw Wanderers come from behind to earn a 2-2 draw last December.