Hopefully History Can Repeat Itself

JohnnyH2

I cannot remember going into a season where there has been so much negativity surrounding the squad since 1995/96. However as it turned out that season was really great, and gave us a base from which to build the promotion squad and the like. Using the factors that made that season the season I can see some similarities with the two situations:-

• A manager not having the majority of supporters convinced of his abilities – obviously you have to remember that Curbs had been appointed as sole manager that year and a lot thought he should have gone instead of Gritt.
• An outstanding young prospect that made a handful of appearances the season before and then became the number 1 player in the team.
• A good number of other youngsters around the team who may not get the publicity that Jonjo may get who could really be part of the club for a long time.
• Some gold old pros who will complement the young players.
• A small squad in comparison to the previous seasons squad..
• A change of chairman the previous year.

Really hope we can have a good season this year particularly with the youngsters coming to the front, as this may mean we can stop the decline we have seen on the pitch since Parker went and start to get some more positive news around the place.

Ollywozere

Let's just hope we don't lose to Palace in the Play-Offs again!

thai malaysia addick

It's going to be an unpredictable season. We are competing in a very average league with no/few outstanding sides. It will come down to how well the players gel, how well we avoid important injuries, whether one or two can excel and whether someone can bang the goals in. Although the numbers are dwindling quickly, we never had any really outstanding players - just a large squad of slightly below average to slightly above average players - at least, this is certainly true since Reid left. It's why many seem to see as a mid-table team, whilst some can see promotion or relegation to be a possibility. Maybe, it will be clearer by the end of this month.

Oggy Red

Many of the CCC clubs are going to feel the effects of the lack of cheap loans available from their bankers - it's only a matter of time before the shock waves go right through the League.


The Charlton board have made the decision now to put their house in order financially, before they were forced to, perhaps with catastrophic effect. Watford have flagged up that they are in the same position, and doing much the same.

We're ahead of the game. When this credit crunch thing really bites, many clubs are going to have a fire sale.

In the January window, I've a feeling many clubs are going to be offering key players for sale - like we did last time with Reidy, and that is going to reduce the quality of their own team and seriously impact on the division and the promotion race.

The clubs that already have cash in the bank are going to be in a position to pick up good players at below previous market prices.


By being ahead of the game, we may yet find that our young team can be strengthened in key positions, make more impact than we imagined and finish the season very strongly.

ShootersHillGuru

Do you know thats absolutely right Oggy. Couldn`t agree more.

Oggy Red

Just my opinion after reading what's happening in the financial world and how it relates to football, Shooters.

Charlton and Watford are making ripples on what otherwise seems calm waters - but there's a financial storm brewing and money lenders are being extremely cautious who they lend to at the moment.

Any club that's not being bankrolled and has serious short term debt is vulnerable.


The principle way clubs raise money quickly is by selling their key players.
I reckon the January window is going to see a glut of players available from financially desperate clubs, forcing down transfer market prices.

The Prem clubs will get first pick, but any CCC club with cash in the bank gets a choice of the best of the rest.
And that could seriously impact on the League table by season end.

TEL

Makes sound sense to me.....we just need to stop the hysteria flooding through these pages at the moment. More than ever these players need US to get behind them

revellinit

oggy red,,,sound !!

Players being sold at relatively inflated prices compared to 5 months time, wages saved through a smaller squad and selling players that really made little impact has to be sound.
The money can be used at Xmas to strengthen the team with realistic transfers and wages hopefully being paid?
Hungry committed teams will see clubs through financial hardship not over rated and over paid so called players.
How many teams frustrated us last season with hard work and discipline wasn’t that the curbs way?

Elthamaddick

[cite]Posted By: Oggy Red[/cite]Many of the CCC clubs are going to feel the effects of the lack of cheap loans available from their bankers - it's only a matter of time before the shock waves go right through the League.


The Charlton board have made the decision now to put their house in order financially, before they were forced to, perhaps with catastrophic effect. Watford have flagged up that they are in the same position, and doing much the same.

We're ahead of the game. When this credit crunch thing really bites, many clubs are going to have a fire sale.

In the January window, I've a feeling many clubs are going to be offering key players for sale - like we did last time with Reidy, and that is going to reduce the quality of their own team and seriously impact on the division and the promotion race.

The clubs that already have cash in the bank are going to be in a position to pick up good players at below previous market prices.


By being ahead of the game, we may yet find that our young team can be strengthened in key positions, make more impact than we imagined and finish the season very strongly.

Quality post...

JohnnyH2

If the board is carrying out the strategy of getting rid of debt (and I have no reason to doubt this) and as others have said be ahead of the game, this is very similar to when Richard Murray took control of the club. Money was tight, but with the Bosman looming he got all the young players on long term contracts meaning if you wanted you them you paid top dollar e.g. Bowyer, or clubs were scared off by the price tag and we got the best of the player e.g. Rufus.

This was when we were really turning the corner and I would love to see the board trying something different to what other clubs are duing to ensure we can get some sort of advantage on them.

jimmymelrose

That's a very interesting thread - just hope that it's not over optimistic. Do the other clubs really have the same debts as us though?

mascot88

I think this move was required and i think has been handled particularly well, as long as we dont go down..... we are the biggest team in recent prem history to go through the trap door, like southampton maybe, but 8 years prem means some serious dismantling and fast to avoid a sheff weds, leeds, etc..... this is prudent and very charlton esque and i think it will pay dividends, no charlie big potatoes in the team, and loads to prove from the likes of thomas and ambrose, bit of experience and som e good prospects... this could be a reallt good season ...

Im looking forward to it...

StoneChurchGremlin

I hope it does... but I would rather wipe that particular season (1995/96) from memory, if for the simple fact that we lost to that lot in the semi's of the play-offs.

If I can remember correctly, we finished 15th the following year and for some games the attendance dropped below 10,000- and we all know what happened the following season after that.