This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict‘ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Charlton Athletic manager Ben Garner is facing pressure from the club's hierarchy, as per a Patreon report from journalist Alan Nixon.

The report states that it would cost a lot for the Addicks to dismiss the 42-year-old after what has been a slow start to the campaign for the London club.

Charlton currently sit 14th in the third-tier standings, having accumulated 24 points from their opening 19 matches, a points tally that leaves them seven points shy of the play-off positions.

The Addicks have some favourable fixtures coming up which could provide Garner with the opportunity to build and cut the gap from the play-off positions.

Three of our writers here at FLW have shared their thoughts on Garner at Charlton and whether or not they would be wise to cut ties at this stage...

 

 

Billy Mulley

I think it would be incredibly harsh for Charlton to part company with Garner at this stage and it would make little financial sense too.

Of course, with the squad available to him, fans will have expected to be closer to the play-off positions but they are not a million miles away in what is a very competitive League One this time around.

It was always going to take Garner a while to acclimatise to the division, especially when there are high expectations of Charlton.

The hierarchy at Charlton should continue backing Garner at this stage as he has shown glimpses of real positivity, and consistency will be gained as he continues to accumulate experience in the hot seat at The Valley.

Adam Jones 

Although you have to appreciate the strength of other sides in the division, 14th isn't a satisfactory league position and that's why he should be under pressure.

However, you feel he's only a small part of the problem at this stage because the board didn't spend a single penny in the transfer market during the summer, relying on free agents and loanees.

On paper, the Addicks are probably a top-half team but aren't that close to being genuine promotion competitors in terms of the strength of their squad and the onus is on the board to provide the money needed for Garner or his potential successor to freshen up the squad.

Sacking the ex-Swindon Town boss may provide them with a short-term boost via a new manager bounce - but this boost won't be long-lasting unless standards are raised at The Valley at multiple levels.

In terms of whether they should part company with him, it's difficult to say because he isn't the only one at fault but results do need to improve soon.

Marcus Ally

It would not solve anything.

Given the squad at his disposal, Ben Garner is hitting par with Charlton at the moment, or at worst a shade under par, but with some winnable games around the corner.

The issues holding the club’s progress on the pitch back, are off the pitch matters and Garner has spoken out about not receiving the backing that he was promised upon arrival in the summer.

It is a mid table squad no matter what way you look at it, and with five wins, nine draws and five losses from 19 league games, they are performing as such.

The likelihood is that any Garner replacement would encounter very similar problems, a promotion push would be a significant overachievement due to the counter-productive actions of those in lofty positions at the club.

To have only lost five games in the league, just one at home, and to have achieved the progression that they have in cup competitions shows that Garner is doing a good job in unenviable circumstances.