It’s hard to pick a standout performer at The Valley this season such has been the collective effort of Lee Bowyer’s men on their unbeaten run.

There’s captain Jason Pearce, who’s back to his best after getting rid of the injuries that blighted last season’s campaign.

Darren Pratley, who’s experience and versatility, not to mention quality, has earned him a new one-year deal.

Lyle Taylor, who just doesn’t know how to miss.

Jonny Williams, Josh Cullen, Conor Gallagher, the list goes on.

One man who's also winning over everyone in SE7, is Tom Lockyer.

News Shopper:

His arrival from Bristol Rovers went under the radar in the summer, but his performances at the heart of the defence in the opening five fixtures have made people sit up and take notice.

The Welsh coach Ryan Giggs included, selecting the 24-year-old to be part of his squad for the upcoming international fixtures.

His all action displays, last ditch tackles, range of passing, and his love of defending was all to see in a backs against the wall display in the Addicks 1-0 win at The Valley last weekend.

One man though, knew he was ready to step up to Championship football.

That man happens to be his manager.

“Did I expect him to have a good a start as he has? Yes! That’s why we bought him, if he wasn’t capable I wouldn’t sign him,” Bowyer said,

“He’s different to any centre half I’ve worked with before.

“That’s a good thing, you don’t want to be the same, you always want to be different.

“I love his attitude, he’s a winner, him and (Jason) Pearce, you’ve got people chucking their bodies on the line.

“He tends to get back and make last minute tackles, he’s a bit of everything, he can play as well.

“He’s a good all-round defender, good at everything, but he’ll keep working hard and he’ll improve I’m sure of that.

“I’m over the moon with the start he’s had.”

News Shopper:

Lockyer came through the youth academy at Rovers, eventually playing over 240 games and captaining the side over the last two seasons as they rose from the Football Conference to League One.

Despite not playing in the second tier, it was his leadership qualities Bowyer and Head of Recruitment Steve Gallen saw in Lockyer that attracted them to the defender.

“We knew the Championship was going to be tough and we have a good number who haven’t played Championship level, so we knew the type of person we needed to bring in had to be a winner and a leader.

“The players we brought in was not by fluke, but the type we needed to stay in this division.

“When The Valley is bouncing and I’m trying to shout, they can’t hear me.

“We can only do so much from the side.

“You need them to realise the problem and deal with it amongst themselves.

“That’s when the leaders come to the front.

“Darren Pratley, he’ll step up and organise, with his experience, he’s a leader and a winner.

“And Tom, he’s used to doing that role.

“We’ve got a lot of them bodies here, all want to prove they can play in this league and at the moment they’re doing no harm.”

Charlton travel to Reading on Saturday.