Looking ahead to League 1 next year, you're Charlton's Manager - what would you do?

razil

Assuming all out of contract players and loanees are off and one possibly two of our 'crown jewel' player is sold what would you do if you were in the hotseat?

After this lot ship out the main problems as I see it are several

*under pressure to sell 'key' players - Hudson and Bailey, not forgetting Shelvey, Gray.
*a wealth of underperforming players mainly - strikers
*We may have no defence to speak of
*There is very little width in the team - pace and creativity.

My two major concerns are:

Parky's inability to get the best out of his strike force - most curious is his treatment of Dickson, who hasn't been given a serious chance with a supporting striker despite showing some promise, and despite goals being our main problem he opted to try and flood the midfield -an area we have a a wealth of 'talent' in and yet even with this in mind one of his only two permanent signings Spring couldn't get in the team.

The really scary thing is how similar the position is to last summer, and we all know how that ended. With Bailey and probably Gray or even Hudson off, we have major problems, I suggest the former two being the least worst options.

This would leave an outfield squad as follows of senior players



Defence: Moo2 Hudson Fortune Semedo Youga

Midfield: Sam Spring Racon Shelvey Sinclair

Attack: McLeod Dickson Burton Fleetwood

(I think that's all of them)

Although the above can be supplemented with youth and no doubt some loans (which seem to rarely pay off), without retention of most if not all of the 'jewels this squad looks very threadbare and likely to descend rapidly to League 2 in my opinion.

Personally I think its difficult to see what can be done on limited resources, I would however get next years squad playing as soon as possible this year ito try and forge some partnerships a front pairing, central midfield, and even centre backs from within our current permanant players. Of course there is always the option of re-signing some of those whose contracts expire.

BigRedEvil

Resign :-D

cafc-4-life

Dean Sinclair?

razil

Yes I believe so..

Heath Hero

What's curious about Dickson's treatment? He had a run in the side and didn't score. So he was dropped. Goals were our main problem because our strikers were not scoring, not in spite of.

Scoham

We'll find some players on free transfers. Don't know who or where they'll come from, and just how good they'll be, but we'll rebuild the squad.

If we can keep Bailey, Shelvey, Racon, Hudson and Fortune we'll have a much better chance. They are the spine of the team (along with Elliot who I assume will still be our number 1). Just need some strikers to go with them, and a few improvements out wide where possible.

Wright, Arter, Solly, Yussuff maybe even players like Mambo and Tuna will have to make up the numbers.

razil

one problem may be we will have to get our underperforming players off the wage bill before we can get anyone in.

sporaddick

[cite]Posted By: Scoham[/cite]

If we can keep Bailey, Shelvey, Racon, Hudson and Fortune we'll have a much better chance. They are the spine of the team (along with Elliot who I assume will still be our number 1). Just need some strikers to go with them, and a few improvements out wide where possible.

Wright, Arter, Solly, Yussuff maybe even players like Mambo and Tuna will have to make up the numbers.

Sadly I think there is a strong likelihood that all five players mentioned will be gone next year!

Ledge

Well you could say get a guranteed 25 goal striker but Swindon have got one and they're still in lower reaches of the division but it will help.

Get the spine of the team correct.

Keeper
c/half
centre mid
centre forward

MOST IMPORTANTLY pick a bloody captain that will captain.

,

Low_Ears

I think it is quite simple - to get back up you need a striker who will bang in 25+ goals. At league one level this doesn't mean someone who is a briliant player but someone who will take chances when the ball comes to him. Just like Freddie Eastwood did for Southend or Iwelumo did for Colchester. Do we have one on our books, Dickson, Mcleod or even Fleetwood? You could argue that we do but if none of these are going to step up then I expect us to be in the play-offs at best.

ShootersHillGuru

If the midfield can be kept intact with careful additions to the defence and attack then we might be ok. In all honesty though other clubs will have us over a barrel regarding our saleable assets which is another prime example of the stupidly warped division of money in English football just now.

Swisdom

I'd build a team around a strong core of players.

Racon, Semedo, Shelvey, Elliott, Sam

Throw in some big game experience in Darren Ward, Fortune, Murty

Try to keep hold of Bailey, Moo2

Personally i'd get everyone back nice and early for pre season but concentrate specifically on the strikers. If nobody is ripping up trees in the first few weeks then i'd get out and try to pick some up from somewhere. I'd like to think MacLeod, Fleets, Dicko and 1 other will provide goals but if not I'd look at the guy banging them in for Scunny (Hooper)

And then add a few lower league regulars into the mix - Steve Howard was mentioned (limited ability IMO but we might need a big lump or two)

Then build a team with a basis of PASS AND MOVE. Swansea and Doncaster have proven you don't need to play kick and rush all the time. There will be a time and a place for long ball but I want the team to play football - pass to feet.

I'd also release / sell the following - Ambrose, Weaver, Hudson, Burton, Gray - thats a significant wage saving!!

Anyone wanna offer me a job?

ShootersHillGuru

You could sweep up the leaves outside my house Swisdom ! ;0)

Oggy Red

Bring in Paul Tisdale, the Exeter City manager.

;o)

razil

you're the manager not the chairman.. tsk

;)

clivey_hero

I'd sign up Henry Irving and play him up front in a 1-9-1 formation .
We can then Lump the ball forward on to his very large head , and with his extra large ego holding it up, we'd be certs for a quick return....We could also save shed loads of money by making him Player manager, chief executive, head Scout and ball boy .

Sorted

razil

this is a serious thread, be mean to big H elsewhere please..

Elthamaddick

[quote][cite]Posted By: Swisdom[/cite]I'd build a team around a strong core of players.

Racon, Semedo, Shelvey, Elliott, Sam

Throw in some big game experience in Darren Ward, Fortune, Murty

Try to keep hold of Bailey, Moo2

Personally i'd get everyone back nice and early for pre season but concentrate specifically on the strikers. If nobody is ripping up trees in the first few weeks then i'd get out and try to pick some up from somewhere. I'd like to think MacLeod, Fleets, Dicko and 1 other will provide goals but if not I'd look at the guy banging them in for Scunny (Hooper)

And then add a few lower league regulars into the mix - Steve Howard was mentioned (limited ability IMO but we might need a big lump or two)

Then build a team with a basis of PASS AND MOVE. Swansea and Doncaster have proven you don't need to play kick and rush all the time. There will be a time and a place for long ball but I want the team to play football - pass to feet.

I'd also release / sell the following - Ambrose, Weaver, Hudson, Burton, Gray - thats a significant wage saving!!

Anyone wanna offer me a job?[/quote]

I'd go along with that.....give Bailey the armbad as well.

razil

Bailey scores a few, but is his tackling and ball retention up to much?

ThreadKiller

apologise to the fans.

ColinTat

ha ha ha clivey_hero I've got an image in my head of a big flouncing Oscar Wilde up front, seeing off all-comers like the evil Millwall full-back Mr Queensbury.

It'd be a bit like Roy of the Rovers in the Victorian age, after every goal Henry could use his goalscoring cliche 'Turn the lights out on your way out, Boyo!"; his foppish mane and erudite ear cocked to the crowd.

Athletico Charlton

I reckon Bailey will go so I would replace him with Kevin Nicholls. Mootoo def will go so bring in Murty. Both would be experienced players, easily good enough for that league and with plenty of balls and inspiration. Can not see Ward signing as it would mean a fee so Sodje instead (think Murty, Nicholls & Sodje would all be free). I would then sell/release all first team players with the exception of:

Keeper
Elliott, Randolph

RB
Murty, Solly

LB
Youga, Basey

CB
Fortune, Semedo, Sodje(+1)

Midfield
Sam, Nicholls, Racon, Shelvey, Wright, Arter, Yusseff, Spring

Strikers
Dickson, Mcleod (+2)

That makes 22, add to that a couple like Stavrinou as kids and subject to who the CB/Strikers were we would have a chance with that team.

Oakster

[cite]Posted By: razil[/cite]Assuming all out of contract players and loanees are off and one possibly two of our 'crown jewel' player is sold what would you do if you were in the hotseat?

Bring back Carl Tiler, Basil, & play him on the wing!!