In-form Charlton Athletic striker Karlan Grant set scoring target

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Karlan Grant has been set a target of at least double figures for goals this season – with the Charlton Athletic striker bagging both in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Plymouth Argyle.

The Addicks are into the play-off places after recording four straight victories.

And Grant took his goal haul to five – already his most productive scoring season for the South London club and with less than two months of the League One campaign completed.

“Double figures is not a bad return when you take into account it is his first season playing up top because before he was playing out wide,” said Charlton manager Lee Bowyer. “It would be good if he can get 12, 13 or 14 but anything over 10 would be good – Josh Magennis got 10 last season.

“Karlan is not going to play every game either but he’s had a good start. Him and Lyle [Taylor] are both on five [goals] and I expected Lyle to score more, that was my first thoughts before the season started.

“It doesn’t matter as long as they are both scoring goals or we are winning games.

“At times we play with a 10 as well, so they have got to chip in. It can’t just be the front two all the time.”

Taylor had a prime chance to claim his sixth of the season on Saturday but saw a first-half penalty kept out by Matt Macey, who turned his effort onto the crossbar with Grant rippling the side-netting on the follow up.

Bowyer is not contemplating a switch of spot-kick taker. He said: “It was a good save. He [Taylor] didn’t do too much wrong. It’s not like he missed the target. It’s just one of them things, I can’t knock him for that.”

Charlton head to Luton Town on Saturday. The Hatters, managed by former Addicks development coach Nathan Jones, are unbeaten at Kenilworth Road in the league this season.

Tariqe Fosu has completed his suspension and is available.

“He’s back but he’ll have to wait his turn,” said Bowyer. “That’s obvious because we have been playing well. Saturday was probably the best they have played under me, regarding our possession.”

Josh Cullen has helped soften the blow of Jake Forster-Caskey’s absence with classy displays since his loan switch from West Ham United.

“He’s an all-rounder,” said Bowyer. “He can play but gets his foot in as well.

“He’s a great addition and it’s why we had to be patient and wait for him. We didn’t think we would get him but the longer it went on the more chance we had because of the players that West Ham brought in.

“He is someone who will run around and give you 100 per cent. He is a team player. He has been in this league before and got to the play-offs [with Bradford]. We knew he had the experience but the most important thing is that he competes and plays football.”