I still think a big problem is our service and delivery to our strikers.
I agree, but it's a difficult area and players don't always click immediately, they need to understand each other's games. Powell was fortunate in that he overhauled the squad and they clicked from day one.
We are fortunate that not many of the squad have gone on international duty so they can work on different things together.
Haven’t read any posts apart from afkas initial. For me, the only improvement on the team so far has been Apter. Carey and bell have looked decent so far but not a massive upgrade imo. I’m not writing the others off but the jury is undeniably out. Something tells me the best singing of the lot could be Bree!
Happy with the investment the board have shown so for at this early stage I’ll give it 7/10
The best signing we've made in 2025, was the new contract for Lloyd Jones back in January. I'm not sure any of the new players are as important as he is to this team.
The talk on here before the window opened was mainly about us operating with a bottom 6 transfer budget. We actually ended up with a top 6 net transfer budget. Couldn’t have asked for anything more from the owners. It’s now up to the players to deliver.
In terms of transfer fees yes, but that's not the whole story. We could have used our budget to sign free or cheaper transfers, but with higher wages and signing on fees.
I'm sure our wages budget will be bottom 6, maybe bottom 4.
Surely the free or cheaper transfers are free or cheaper for a reason though? Chucking money at wages doesn't mean they're better than those for a fee
Free players are often player who run their contract down. Like Small. Or indeed Bell and Carey.
Cheaper players could be because of their age. Keiffer Moore was cheaper than Charlie Kelman for example, but would be on way higher wages than we could pay. Or they might have a release clause. Wrexham (again) got Ryan Hardie for a bargain £700k, but I bet his wages are good.
Free transfer players, who are any good, often command a signing on fee, which can be up to £1m-£4m. Also, wages of £15k a week (probably a lot of Charlton players) compared to £40k of say an experienced Championship striker, works out as a difference of over £4m over a 3 year deal. Free transfers can a a lot more expensive.
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We are fortunate that not many of the squad have gone on international duty so they can work on different things together.