Nigel Adkins’ hands are tied behind his back a touch at the moment, with Charlton Athletic leaving it late in the transfer window to assemble a squad capable of a League One promotion push.

20-year-old winger Charles Clayden made his debut from the bench in the 89th minute as Adkins’ only substitution when the Addicks held Sheffield Wednesday to a goalless draw at The Valley last Saturday.

Owner Thomas Sandgaard has been playing all the right notes in the media since his arrival last summer, but with League One promotion rivals strengthening by the day the club are lagging behind, facing a race against time to provide Adkins with sufficient numbers to build from in his first full season at the helm.

Here, with the side's trip to Oxford United this weekend in mind, we take a look at the best xi at Nigel Adkins' disposal...

 

GK: Craig MacGillivray

MacGillivray was one of the club’s first summer additions, joining as a free agent after departing from Portsmouth. The 28-year-old kept 43 clean sheets in 135 outings for Pompey, building a reputation as one of the safest glovesman in the third tier.

The Scotsman fills the vacancy left behind by Ben Amos, who signed for big spenders Wigan Athletic, looking to finally kick on into the Championship.

MacGillivray looked a little shaky against Sheffield Wednesday giving the ball away with some poor distribution leading to Barry Bannan running through on goal, but fortunately his countryman snatched at the shot that trickled wide.

A senior backup goalkeeper would bring some healthy competition for places, at the time of writing youngster Nathan Harness is not a threat to MacGillivray’s jersey even if he was to have an error prone run.

 

RB: Adam Matthews

Adam Matthews rejoined the club on a one year deal this summer having spent the last two seasons at The Valley.

The 29-year-old who made 150 appearances for Celtic earlier on in his career is one of the most dependable full backs in the division and has demonstrated that in his 59 previous appearances for the Addicks.

Now preferred to Chris Gunter as first choice right back under Adkins, where he was second choice under Lee Bowyer, Matthews should kick on once again this term.

The Welshman has registered three assists for the club however with the quality of his delivery when he does get forward, Matthews should improve that figure this campaign.

 

CB: Ryan Inniss

Crystal Palace academy graduate Ryan Inniss has been a fans’ favourite from the get go in SE7, despite having an injury hit 2020/21 campaign the no nonsense defender made a huge impact in his 14 appearances. Charlton are the 26-year-old’s first permanent employers away from Selhurst Park having endured ten loan spells mainly in the Football League.

Inniss is making up for lost time in his career and has a great understanding with central defensive partner Akin Famewo, the pair compliment each other effortlessly at the back. He is a demon aerially in both boxes and if he can stay fit the Addicks have one of the most dominant defenders in the division in their ranks.

 

CB: Akin Famewo

Akin Famewo is a future Premier League player. The 22-year-old had injury problems of his own last season, but oozed class in his 22 League One appearances. Back on loan for a second season from Norwich City but this time the Addicks crucially reserve an option to buy in the deal, this is a player who could command multiple seven figure transfer fees in his career.

Famewo is an adept left footed ball playing defender who is a warrior out of possession. Uses his physique brilliantly and has the recovery pace to demoralise the vast majority of League One frontmen. He showed his abilities to break the lines in possession in glimpses against the Owls last time out, something to add to his ever improving skill set. If he can stay fit he should make the League One Team of the Season.

 

LB: Chris Gunter 

Makeshift left back Chris Gunter is the best available option for Adkins at the moment. There is not another senior replacement for the injured Ben Purrington and therefore the 32-year-old has to use all of his experience to fill in.

He endured an up and down 2020/21 season, thrown in at centre back at times with the club struggling to keep players fit. There were some glaring errors defensively but he chipped in with one goal and two assists in attack, the injury to Purrington is the sole reason he is in the side, with Matthews now first choice in his favoured position.

 

CDM: George Dobson

Summer signing George Dobson is an exciting midfield pivot in Adkins’ attacking position. Dropping back to pick the ball up off of the centre backs on the half turn to start attacks and providing immense energy and enthusiasm out of possession.

Dobson arrives at The Valley following a tricky spell with Sunderland but he caught the eye with an impressive loan spell at AFC Wimbledon last term and earned his move to SE7 in that timel. The 23-year-old has been preferred to FA Cup winner Ben Watson in holding midfield in the infancy of this season but should be able to make the role his own.

 

CM: Sean Clare

Sean Clare joined Charlton this summer also off the back of an impressive loan spell. The 24-year-old was a key cog of Burton Albion’s resurgence under Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink last term, on loan from back to back play-offs side Oxford United.

Clare has deputised at right back in his career but is at home in the centre of the park. His tall stature and agility make him an asset to Adkins’ men, looking to provide more goals from midfield to aid the attacking contingent.

Clare returns to Charlton where he spent time in the youth system before beginning his professional journey at Sheffield Wednesday.

 

CM: Albie Morgan

Albie Morgan is the next cab off the rank in terms of exciting Charlton Athletic academy graduates. The 21-year-old has scored twice and assisted 12 times in 73 appearances for the Addicks and is now first choice from the onset of a season for the very first time.

Able to operate in any role across the midfield his relentless running and expert eye for a pass make him a key man for the Addicks going forward. If they can deter interest from other suitors, Morgan could well be a mainstay in the South Londoners’ midfield for the next ten years.

 

RW: Diallang Jaiyesimi

A January deadline day signing Diallang Jaiyesimi is yet to really announce himself at Charlton. The 22-year-old managed five goals and six assists last term, the majority for Swindon Town, but has been a livewire in pre-season, gaining the trust of Adkins.

Jaiyesimi is Charlton’s most X Factor player, able to beat a man in a split second but it is his final ball or shot after that initial trickery that needs improving. The natural ability is not in doubt with the former Norwich City man but his decision making in the attacking third needs work. If he can nail that this season, then the Addicks have one of the most dangerous attackers in League One on their books.

 

ST: Jayden Stockley

New skipper Jayden Stockley was desperate to sign for the Addicks this summer, clearly one of Nigel Adkins’ favourites with the club fighting off interest from promotion rivals to his signature.

The 27-year-old managed eight goals and two assists at the back end of 2020/21 on loan at the club from Preston North End. With that move now permanent and the captain’s armband to boot, Stockley is the spearhead of Charlton’s attack. The industry of the Addicks’ midfield three and Jaiyesimi’s trickery off the right flank, Stockley should get on the end of plenty of chances this campaign. He will be aiming for the 20 goal mark.

 

LW: Conor Washington

Northern Ireland international Conor Washington is possibly the most dependable member of the squad. A seven out of ten every week kind of player, who is equally as comfortable playing through the middle. He was the club’s second top scorer last season with 11 and will be looking to improve on that figure this time around.

The designated penalty taker made a good start to his career in SE7 in 2020/21 after a few troublesome seasons. The 29-year-old will be expected to contribute at least double figures again this term and with Stockley’s knockdowns to profit from he will be a handful for even the best backlines at the level.