'The fans are turning' – Charlton to make Nigel Adkins decision if results don't change? The verdict

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 have dropped to 23rd in League One after their 2-1 defeat at the hands of Wycombe on Saturday.

Pressure is starting to build on Nigel Adkins as the Valley faithful will have been expecting their side to be competing at the other end of the division this season.

The Addicks will play three times before the end of September, against Gillingham, Portsmouth, and Bolton Wanderers, but could Adkins lose his job if he can't turn things around in that period?

We quizzed our FLW writers for their thoughts...

Marcus Ally

Nigel Adkins could have been sacked after the defeat on Saturday and his position feels untenable if the Addicks lose at Gillingham on Tuesday evening.

The former Southampton boss is clearly struggling to motivate and get the best out of a group of players more than capable of competing for a top six finish in League One.

Charlton Athletic are two points from safety and play host to Portsmouth and Bolton Wanderers following their midweek exertions which looks like two matches that they will struggle in considering their recent performances.

In my opinion, a change should have been made after the Wycombe Wanderers loss and Johnnie Jackson given the reins on a temporary basis for the trip to Priestfield Stadium.

A win on Tuesday evening may well paper over the cracks and delay the inevitable, the fan base has turned and there is no evidence on the pitch that Adkins will be able to achieve a promotion push with this group of players. Win at Gillingham or not.

Alfie Burns

You’ve got to imagine so. The fans are turning and the owner is feeling the pressure himself. Usually, in these kind of situations, it’s the manager that falls on his sword.

Pre-season expectations were huge at Charlton and Adkins’ promise of a title challenge towards the end of last season is something that sticks in the mind.

When you make statements like that and then don’t deliver, it’s very hard to recover.

Charlton face Gillingham this week, before tough clashes with Portsmouth and Bolton Wanderers.

In my mind, Adkins maybe needs six or seven points from these games to keep himself in a job. That’s easier said than done, though, particularly when you consider just how bad Charlton’s results have been.

The writing might not be on the wall just yet, but it’s looking a long way back.

Billy Mulley

Nigel Adkins is in a very difficult position where it seems that tomorrow night's clash against Gillingham could prove pivotal.

Accumulating four points from their opening seven are numbers that are nowhere near good enough for a club like Charlton Athletic, and despite coming up against teams who are expected to be operating at the top end of the division come May, they have not looked competitive enough in some of these matches.

Adkins has proven to be an excellent manager in the English game, and he does possess the experience and character to turn things around, but if they are unable to secure a positive result against The Gills, then his time at The Valley might come to an abrupt end.

Charlton are a team who are striving to return to the Championship, and at this rate, the chances of that are diminishing at speed.

I do back Adkins to succeed, but he might not be afforded the time if things go wrong against Gillingham.