Wrexham be warned; Nathan Jones’ Charlton Athletic have already shown that they have the makings of a team capable of landing a knockout punch against League One’s big hitters.
Big-spending title favourites Birmingham City have looked all-but invincible thus far, with nine wins from 11.
Apart from when they made that trip to The Valley in early October, that is. A shock 1-0 win for Charlton not only burst countless weekend accumulators up and down the land, it also delivered Birmingham their first – and thus far only – defeat in the 2024/25 League One campaign.
So a Wrexham side who have lost just two games themselves will be under no illusions about the threat Jones’ Addicks team may pose on Saturday afternoon. Phil Parkinson’s team are favourites against Charlton, but the three points are far from guaranteed.
Especially not with confidence high in the Charlton ranks, following three matches without defeat.
Barnsley became the latest promotion hunter to drop points against Jones’ outfit in midweek, with the Londoners now looking to add Wrexham’s scalp to their collection.
Charlton Athletic know what to expect from Wrexham
“I think the mood within the squad is good,” midfielder Terry Taylor tells the Charlton website. “We’ve come in and had a debrief, we spoke about what we can improve on from Tuesday and the lads are in high spirits.
“We’re all looking forward to the game.”
Jones, one of the finest tacticians at this level, will have his Charlton team very well versed with Wrexham’s strengths. And, indeed, their weaknesses.
Only Lincoln City average lower possession numbers than Phil Parkinson’s side. That, and their potency in wide areas, is something that has not gone unnoticed on the Charlton training pitch.
“[Wrexham] are going to be quite an accomplished team in terms of knowing what they want to do,” adds Taylor, who made his return this month after a long injury absence.
“I don’t think they pass the ball too much. They get it wide and put the crosses in. We know they will be dangerous. If we don’t turn up and do everything right, it will be a tough game.
“You can feel the excitement building – everyone’s really looking forward to it. At the end of the day it’s another league game and we’ve got to go out with the same attitude as normal, knowing we’ll play our game.
“We cannot get caught up in the occasion, but we need to use it to our advantage. The atmosphere will be amazing and that can only be a good thing, as long as we use it right.”
- Read more: Who is Jon Dadi Bodvarsson? Wrexham’s new striker signing profiled after leaving Bolton Wanderers
Phil Parkinson boosted by Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Matty James arrivals
Wrexham are coming off a midweek draw of their own. A goalless draw at Huddersfield Town exacerbated the injuries to strikers Jack Marriott and Steven Fletcher, though the free-agent signing of Jon Dadi Bodvarsson on Friday afternoon should help offset their absence.
Wrexham have also brought in ex-Manchester United prospect Matty James, a Premier League winner with Leicester City in 2016, to fill a George Evans shaped hole in the midfield.
“I’d like to welcome Jon and Matty to the club,” Parkinson smiles. “With injuries to George Evans, Jack Marriott and Steven Fletcher, it was important to bring them in.
“We look forward to working with the two of them.”
Bodvarsson joins Wrexham having previously represented Bolton, Reading and Wolves in the EFL.