The gaffer, Michael Appleton, is getting his Charlton boys pumped for a Friday night showdown against Bristol Rovers, and he’s expecting nothing less than their A-game.

Bristol Rovers is coming in hot from a thrilling 2-1 victory against Portsmouth – talk about a nail-biting win! But Appleton knows they’re no pushovers. “They’ve changed shape a little bit since Matt [Taylor] has gone in and they’ve been playing with three at the back, which I know he’s used at previous clubs he’s managed,” explained Appleton. There’s been a definite improvement in them,” he said.

Appleton had some heartwarming things to say about the rival team, noting that they’ve got some impressive talent and have made quite the impact with their new tactical approach. With Luke Thomas’s game-winning goal against Portsmouth, they’ve definitely shown they mean business.

But Appleton isn’t sweating it. He’s pretty chuffed with his own squad and believes they’ve got what it takes to come out on top. “I have to say I quite like them as a group and I think they’ve got some talented players. They’ve got one or two players that I’ve worked with before so I know a little bit about them,” he chuckled.

However, Appleton isn’t one to shy away from the reality – their recent string of draws and a tough loss on Boxing Day has left a bad taste. He’s banking on a stronger performance and higher energy levels from his team to turn the tide. “I’d like to think that our performance and energy levels will be much higher and much better tomorrow night, and I do believe that will be the case,” he confidently stated.

And what’s a showdown without a bit of banter on the injury front? Appleton’s got a few players with knocks, but he’s hopeful they’ll pull through for the big game. And hey, looks like the Addicks might just see Conor [McGrandles] and Terry [Taylor] make a comeback before the month is up. But as for Chuks [Aneke], it’s still a waiting game.

But here’s the kicker – Appleton’s got some strategic tricks up his sleeve. With Lucas [Ness] and Deji [Elerewe] on the bench, he’s opted for a more attack-minded approach. “From a tactical point of view, you would rather have as many attack-minded players in your squad rather than defensive,” he revealed.

Now, for those die-hard fans out there, fret not! You can catch all the electrifying action live on CharltonTV. So grab your popcorn, put your feet up, and brace yourself for an epic Friday night clash. Let’s hope the Addicks bring their A-game and give Bristol Rovers a run for their money!