Charlton Athletic’s impressive start to the 2019/20 Championship campaign has seen Lee Bowyer’s side rise to eighth in the league table, and one ex-Addicks striker has been singing the praises of his former club’s efforts so far this season.
What did he say?
Jonatan Johansson, who scored 27 goals in 148 Premier League appearances for the south Londoners, returned to The Valley to witness his former side’s impressive 3-0 victory over Derby County.
An ex-Finland international, Johansson spent six years with the Addicks between 2000-2006 and spoke to them on his return about his desire to watch the club in the Championship, while praising Bowyer’s efforts in the current campaign.
“My son is really keen on football, he watches a lot of it on TV and I thought I have to bring him down to Charlton. It’s been way too long, he’s almost nine but he’s finally here and he’ll remember this day. I hope my son and I can come more times” said Johansson.
“I have to say, Lee Bowyer has done a fantastic job. Last season, winning the playoff final was great and getting back to the Championship, at least where we belong. The start of the season has been excellent. It’s good to see the club getting back to where we belong.” continued Johansson.
Can Charlton reach for the Premier League?
Johansson’s praise for Charlton boss Bowyer highlights the quality start that the Addicks boss has made to life in 2019/20, and after 12 games his side are firmly in contention for a play-off place; territory that the club are familiar with from the 2018/19 campaign.
Having finished third in League One and narrowly missed out on automatic promotion, Bowyer galvanised his side to overcome Sunderland 2-1 at Wembley.
The south east London side will be hopeful of featuring in the picture for a play-off place come the end of the season, yet with so many other Championship sides bidding for similar fortunes, the depth of Charlton’s squad is likely to be tested in their attempts to secure back-to-back promotions and reach the top-flight.
That could well be a decisive factor considering Bowyer has already called upon 23 different players in the Championship this season, less than half of which are aged older than 25.
But the Charlton boss showed his capacity to manoeuvre through such limitations last term – despite losing Karlan Grant midway through the season when he had 14 goals under his belt, he still guided the Addicks to promotion glory.
