Sports

Charlton Athletic Fan’s Voice: Addicks’ perfect tonic before Derby County opener

Published

1 hour ago

August 11, 2026

After a discombobulating week of anxiety over club sale speculation and frustration at the lack of midfield reinforcements, it was a relief to experience competitive football again.

That frustration eased when Nathaniel Chalobah signed a one-year deal with the Addicks. Now with the further midfield loan signing of Timothy Ouma from Slavia Prague, it gives supporters even more reason to feel optimistic about the club’s options in that area.

Chalobah made an immediate impression in Charlton’s Carabao Cup first-round tie at Cheltenham Town.

Charlton looked resplendent in their fetching purple third kit and, on paper, possessed too much quality for the League Two side. Apart from spells at the beginning of each half, that proved to be the case as three fine goals secured a deserved victory.

The Addicks showed real class in turning defence into attack, combining pace, power and control. Chalobah provided the composure and experience expected of him, while Sonny Carey contributed a goal and an assist.

Midfield was widely regarded as one of our weaker areas last season, so seeing Chalobah, Carey and indeed Conor Coventry influence the game so quickly was particularly encouraging.

With Ouma now added to the squad, competition and depth in the centre of the pitch appears considerably healthier now.

Forward play has also been a concern, but goals for Tyreece Campbell and Matty Godden should provide both players with a valuable confidence boost as the new campaign begins.

I was delighted with the result, especially after the disappointment of last season’s early cup exit at Cambridge United, when Charlton were beaten by lower-league opposition with a weakened side.

Some may argue that this match did not matter, but given the disjointed pre-season and the continued rumblings around the club’s ownership, this victory was the perfect tonic before Saturday’s league opener against Derby County at The Valley.

And of course, we have been rewarded with a plum EFL Cup tie at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in the second round.

Charlton put the game against Cheltenham beyond doubt with a three-goal burst in just 16 minutes, helped by winning the ball back and attacking quickly in transition.

The one negative was Will Mannion’s poor goalkeeping for Cheltenham’s goal.

Goalkeeping coach Stephen Henderson has work to do to restore confidence in Mannion and Thomas Kaminski, with consistency between the posts essential this season.

So with manager Nathan Jones revealing he still wants to bring in someone to challenge Rob Apter on the right side and still the possibility we will see departures, we nevertheless feel we are in a better place now to take on the rigours of a second Championship season.

The Valley should be rocking on Saturday.

Buckle in and get ready for the ride.

Don’t forget to tap the ‘follow’ button at the top of this page to stay up to date with your club’s latest news.

Sports

Colts GM: Alec Pierce did not receive second PRP injection post-surgery

Published

5 minutes ago

August 11, 2026

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Alec Pierce holds a football during a game.

Colts receiver Alec Pierce totaled 1,003 yards and six touchdowns on 47 catches last season. Trevor Ruszkowski / Imagn Images

Aug. 11, 2026 Updated 10:57 am EDT

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce did not receive a second platelet-rich plasma injection in his left ankle, general manager Chris Ballard said Tuesday morning ahead of a joint practice with the New England Patriots.

A league source who told The Athletic on Monday night that Pierce had received another PRP injection acknowledged Tuesday that they misspoke.

Ballard said Tuesday morning that Pierce has not undergone an operation since ankle surgery in March. Pierce received his first — and only — PRP injection in January, “which is normal,” Ballard said.

“(He was) trying to clear up some of the soreness (at the time),” the GM said. Ballard still anticipates Pierce will be ready to suit up for Indianapolis Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Colts signed Pierce to a four-year, $114 million contract in March, which is the richest free-agent receiver contract in NFL history. He is now the 15th-highest-paid wideout in the league based on annual salary.

Pierce is set to become the Colts’ No. 1 receiver this season, especially after the team traded veteran Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers in March. Pittman led the Colts in receptions in four of the past five seasons. Pierce, however, has emerged as one of the NFL’s top deep threats. He’s led the league in yards per reception in back-to-back seasons (22.3 in 2024 and 21.3 in 2025). Pierce also totaled 1,003 yards and six touchdowns on just 47 catches last year. He is only the third receiver in the last 30 years to reach 1,000 receiving yards in a single season on fewer than 50 catches, joining Mike Williams (2019) and DeSean Jackson (2010).

In other Colts injury news, rookie linebacker CJ Allen did not practice Tuesday in New England. Cornerback Charvarius Ward Sr. also was not at Tuesday’s practice due to “some back pain and irritation,” Ballard said. There is no timeline for his return.

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Barcelona’s Roony Bardghji suffers ACL rupture in right knee

Published

12 minutes ago

August 11, 2026

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Image of Roony Bardghji playing for Barcelona

The 20-year-old Swedish winger is set to undergo surgery in the coming days and could miss the majority of the upcoming season. David Ramos/Getty Images

Aug. 11, 2026 Updated 10:48 am EDT

Barcelona winger Roony Bardghji is set for a prolonged period of absence after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee.

The 20-year-old, who made 28 first-team appearances for Hansi Flick’s side last season, is set to undergo surgery in the coming days and could miss the majority of the upcoming season with the injury.

It is not the first time Bardghji has suffered a serious knee injury in his career, with an injury in May 2024 leading to a 334-day absence from first-team action at previous club Copenhagen.

The Sweden international, who scored two goals and registered four assists last campaign, was expected to leave the Camp Nou on loan this summer, due to a lack of expected playing time following the arrivals of Karim Adeyemi and Anthony Gordon.

However, he will now stay at the club and use its facilities while he recovers from the ACL.

Born in Kuwait, Bardghji has played three times for Sweden but was not included in the nation’s squad for this summer’s World Cup finals.

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Rocky Flintoff: Teenager hits first professional century for Lancashire against Somerset

Published

20 minutes ago

August 11, 2026

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One-Day Cup, Taunton

Lancashire 443-6 50 overs: Jennings 156 (127), Flintoff 123 (76)

Somerset: Yet to bat

Scorecard

Rocky Flintoff, the 18-year-old son of legendary former England all-rounder Andrew, hit his first senior professional century in Lancashire’s One-Day Cup match against Somerset at Taunton.

The right-hander dominated the bowling in crashing 10 fours and seven sixes in a superb 123 from 76 balls in Lancashire’s 443-6.

After coming in at 138-3, Flintoff was the aggressor in a brutal partnership of 214 with Keaton Jennings and reached his century from just 65 deliveries.

Also capitalising on a flat pitch and a Somerset attack depleted by The Hundred, Jennings made 156. Lancashire’s total was their best in List A cricket.

But the century is the latest landmark moment in the young career of Flintoff.

He became Lancashire’s youngest player when he made his debut aged 16 years and 113 days in the One-Day Cup in 2024, a week after becoming England Under-19s’ youngest centurion with a ton against Sri Lanka.

He followed that by becoming England Lions’ youngest century-maker, in a match against Cricket Australia in January 2025, beating his father’s record.

Injuries have also hampered the teenager’s progress.

He missed last winter’s Under-19 World Cup with England and had to withdraw from The Hundred in 2025, having been signed by Northern Superchargers where his father was coach.

After reports linking him with a move away, Flintoff signed a new two-year contract extension with Lancashire in March.

He has still only played four first-class matches for the Red Rose county – the most recent in 2024.

But, after beginning the season playing for Lancashire’s second XI and featuring again for England Under-19s, he has found opportunity and form in the One-Day Cup, which has effectively become a second-tier competition played below The Hundred.

Flintoff has made scores of 33 not out, 41 not out, 34 and 61 not out around dismissals for nought and one in his six previous matches.

Against Somerset, whose XI also featured spinner Archie Vaughan, son of former England captain Michael, Flintoff was particularly destructive in hitting sixes over straight mid-wicket in a fashion reminiscent of his father.

Andrew played 79 Tests, 141 one-day internationals and seven T20s for England and was part of the iconic 2005 Ashes series win.

It was announced last week he has stepped down as coach of England Lions.