The Opposition: Charlton Athletic (H)

The Opposition: Charlton Athletic (H)
The lowdown on the Addicks

February 14th 2023FGR Media

We welcome Charlton Athletic to The Bolt New Lawn on Tuesday evening, with Rovers looking to build on Saturday's 1-1 draw at Morecambe.

Here's a look at tonight's opponents ahead of their first visit to The Bolt New Lawn.

IN THE DUGOUT: DEAN HOLDEN

Straight-talking Mancunian Holden took the Charlton job in December, following the departure of Ben Garner.

Holden was appointed alongside as Andy Scott as Technical Director and Jim Rodwell as Chief Operating Officer.

The 43-year-old is proving a popular figure with Addicks supporters - winning four of his eight league games in charge so far. Wins against Portsmouth and Barnsley were particularly impressive, while Holden also took charge of Charlton's Carabao Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford last month - a dream tie for him as a Manchester United fan.

Holden enjoyed a 16-year professional playing career, turning out for the likes of Bolton Wanderers, Peterborough United and Walsall. His last managerial job was at Bristol City, where he lasted seven months in the Ashton Gate dugout.

ONE TO WATCH: JESURUN RAK-SAKYI

Crystal Palace loanee Rak-Sakyi has lit up League One this season. The lively forward player has scored three times in his last four appearances, bagging nine goals in total this season.

Capped by England Under-20s on five occasions, this is Rak-Sakyi's first loan spell in English football - and he has adapted to the first-team environment with ease.

The 20-year-old is a tricky winger, often playing on the right side of Charlton's front three. Rak-Sakyi is shot-heavy, averaging 2.3 efforts on goal per game.

Given his impressive campaign so far with the Addicks, it would be no surprise to see Rak-Sakyi get give game time at Palace next season.

PLAYED FOR BOTH SIDES: JOJO WOLLACOTT

Goalkeeper Wollacott enjoyed a loan spell at Forest Green during the first half of the 2019/20 campaign.

The now-Ghana international kept an impressive nine clean sheets in 15 games at Rovers, conceding just nine goals. He put in heroic performances away at Charlton and AFC Bournemouth during our Carabao Cup run in 2019.

Wollacott signed for Charlton last summer from Swindon Town, joining then-Head Coach Garner in swapping Wiltshire for South East London. He has made 16 appearances for the Addicks, missing a large portion of the season with a fractured finger.