Charlton Athletic must release 'weapon of chaos' against Wycombe Wanderers - opinion

Charlton Athletic welcome Wycombe Wanderers to The Valley on Thursday night in the second leg of League One play-off action with the scores set at 0-0 following Sunday’s clash at Adams Park.

Really, there was little ‘clash’ involved in the first leg of the play-off semi final. A painfully dull meeting between two sides chasing Championship status, it wasn’t the most enthralling of advertisements for the quality of football in the third tier.

Addicks manager Nathan Jones won’t care one bit. The Welshman is a results machine in the EFL and has proven he knows how to achieve goals, he helped Luton Town to League Two promotion in 2018 and went on to be named Championship Manager of the Season in 2022.

Charlton Athletic must find dynamism at The Valley

In front of a sold-out home crowd at The Valley, Charlton Athletic go into the second leg as huge favourites. Jones’ side have not lost at home since a 2-1 defeat to Crawley Town in December and Blackpool were the only other side to beat the Addicks at The Valley during the 2024/25 league campaign.

Nonetheless, Charlton Athletic must play some more dynamic football than they managed at Wycombe Wanderers. The key to that could well be Tyreece Campbell.

In a bore draw at Adams Park, the 21-year-old was the only Addicks player who looked to find some sort of spark. Campbell took just minutes to whip in a dangerous early cross and went on to outmuscle two Chairboys players on his own to get to a loose ball with 10 minutes on the clock. Shortly afterwards, he forced a loose pass from Caleb Taylor thanks to hustle and bustle.

Jones had clearly given the winger freedom. At times, Campbell roamed into the middle and even found himself on the opposite flank. The Wycombe Wanderers backline grew frustrated in dealing with his tenacity and, if he does that again, the forward can be a weapon of chaos on Thursday night.

Campbell to frustrate Wycombe Wanderers man Jack Grimmer again

Jack Grimmer was named Player of the Match on Sunday for his efforts at full-back but never looked comfortable against Campbell. The defender’s tempers flared at times, becoming involved in a melee at one point and hacking the ball out from underneath Campbell at another moment. He may be fearing facing the Charlton Athletic winger again and the London outfit must capitalise on it.

Jones knows what Campbell is capable of too. Speaking after a 4-0 win over Huddersfield Town in March, the manager said: “He can be anything that he wants to be. What a joy he is to work with. He misses chances, he gets kicked, he works hard, runs in behind and never stops pressing."

Similarly, speaking following the 3-0 win over Exeter, Jones was asked what he said to the player. He replied: “That it was about time he scored a goal like that – because he gets in wonderful areas. In training he does it. He’s devastating in training. He has to recreate that training form in matches. Today I thought he did.

“I don’t think he needs any more confidence. I love him. I play him. We clip stuff up for him as staff – we do want him to be the best version of himself. Once that happens we have got some player.”

In other news, Pundit backs Charlton Athletic to defeat Wycombe Wanderers in play-off second leg on one condition.