Southampton, Hudersfield, Sheffield Wednesday will all finish above us I think
'Charlton, Swindon and Huddersfield will look to go one better after falling short in last season's play-offs. Of the three only Huddersfield have made noticeable signings though, as both the Addicks and Robins have seen key players depart.' Then they put us above them, I don't quite get that!
Charlton
Manager: Phil Parkinson. The former Colchester boss was Charlton assistant to Alan Pardew and despite taking over midway through the 2008/09 season, he was unable to prevent the club being relegated to the third tier for the first time since 1981. But Parkinson almost led the Addicks to an immediate return as they spent most of last season in the top two before losing in the play-offs on penalties.
Key man: Johnnie Jackson. The versatile left-footer has shone in the lower leagues since being released by Tottenham in 2006 and helped Notts County win the League Two title last season. The 27-year-old joined Charlton on loan in February to ease County's wage bill and although the spell was cut short by injury, Parkinson was keen to make the move permanent this summer to compensate for the loss of midfielders Jonjo Shelvey and Nick Bailey.
Position last season: 4th
Players in: Johnnie Jackson (Notts County, free), Gary Doherty (Norwich, free), Alan McCormack (Southend, free), Kyel Reid (Sheff United, free), Akpo Sodje (Sheffield Wednesday, free), Simon Francis (Southend, free), Pawel Abbott (Oldham, nominal)
Players out: Jonjo Shelvey (Liverpool, £1.7m), Nick Bailey (Middlesbrough, £1.4m), Deon Burton (Gabala, free), Matthew Spring (Leyton Orient, free), Darren Randolph (Motherwell, free), Stuart Fleetwood (Hereford, undisclosed), Frazer Richardson (Southampton, signed), Lloyd Sam (Leeds, free), Leon McKenzie, Chris Dickson, Dean Sinclair, Jack Clark, Tony Warner, Yassin Moutaoukil (all released) Izale McLeod (mutual consent)
Our view:: After relinquishing their grip on a top-two spot last season, there will be pressure on Charlton to secure promotion this time round. Whether they can depends on how they cope with the loss of key players like Shelvey, Bailey and Deon Burton.
Prediction: 2nd
Sky Bet odds: 14/1 to win League One
I'm not sure Jackson will be our key man though, he will start life as a left back, and will face fierce competition from Semedo, McCormack, Racon, Reid and the second striker for a place anywhere else on the pitch
Bit too much 2nd at the mo but if we can get a few decent signings which includes a goalscorer well be there abouts
Also dont agree with Key man for me Semedo & Reidy close 2nd- Semedo more conisistent but Reid will be our match winner more
at the mo i'd go for 5th or 6th with current squad and few anybodys coming to aid us, unsure how vital jj will be this year depends where we are thinking of playing him im guessing LB until Yougas fit then may put him in centre with Semedo thats my bet
The key man from last season was the striker we never had, so if we get one in then I can see us getting close to automatic, till then favourites for top 6, but could be as low as top 10.
Of course, we have to replace Burton and Baileys goals and then add a few more, so that striker will be key. By my reckoning three more goals last season and we would have been automatic!
So Huddersfield a dynamic team, who can't seem to defend when the pressures on? They remind me very much of the Jim Magilton ipswich of a few years ago, and I can see them struggling to live up to their prolific meanderings. Wednesday, are short of a basket case and are a much weaker team than when they went up out of league one a few years ago. Soton no doubt will have a flying start and could easily finish above us. Plymouth are just atrocious and may take a few seasons to turn things around, if indeed they avoid relegation. Peterborough are an interesting conundrum, whilst they have enough to challenge they're unreliable and the chairman's mo of signing every possible lower/non league forward to their rostrum may see them through or inconsistent; would have been nice to nick Boyd off them. I think Leyton Orient will have a good start to the season, unsure of them holding momentum.
I have to say our first 11 is easily good enough on paper to make a push for the top 2. Shame we'll be lucky to see it past October. If we were to sign say a Gary Borrowdale on loan, Waggy adds crossing to his undoubted talent, and we find a striker able to fill in for Sodje's glass legs it could move onto a very interseting winter period.
What we have is still of a higher quality than 18 of the 24 sides in this league, possibly more (depth is an issue at the moment but will hopefully be rectified). I have a really good feeling about this season and think we can go up.
I really think promotion is on this season with our signings,my only worry is our lack of strengh in depth.Our 1st eleven is as good as any in this division.
[cite]Posted By: killer kish[/cite]I really think promotion is on this season with our signings,my only worry is our lack of strength in depth.Our 1st eleven is as good as any in this division.
I agree with this.
In my opinion, our first 11 compared to this time last year (including Bauza) is just as strong - if not stronger.
well as it stands , i now see us as 1% automatics 34% playoffs and 65% out of playoffs come the end of the season(which is a lot better than i thought a few weeks back!) ..............
don't worry i'll keep you all updated after each match;-)
League 1 doesn't have the same quality as last year but odds are it will be every bit as competitive, hard to say exactly what we'll do, we do have a pretty thin squad but loan signings did make up quite a bit of our team last year so we'll probably have enough depth as the season goes on, don't think any realist charlton fan could complain with finishing in the play-offs.
Bit worried about Bauza not being signed up yet though - surely he would have been if we were going to? Unless we've asked to sign him later for financial reasons
[cite]Posted By: Danny Addick[/cite]Bit worried about Bauza not being signed up yet though - surely he would have been if we were going to? Unless we've asked to sign him later for financial reasons
I'm hoping that Bauza has been put on the backburner now that the financial situation has changed slightly following the Murray buyout.
Might see him signed if we don't get our new target.
Comments
They obviously havent seen our squad then!
Southampton, Hudersfield, Sheffield Wednesday will all finish above us I think
'Charlton, Swindon and Huddersfield will look to go one better after falling short in last season's play-offs. Of the three only Huddersfield have made noticeable signings though, as both the Addicks and Robins have seen key players depart.' Then they put us above them, I don't quite get that!
Charlton
Manager: Phil Parkinson. The former Colchester boss was Charlton assistant to Alan Pardew and despite taking over midway through the 2008/09 season, he was unable to prevent the club being relegated to the third tier for the first time since 1981. But Parkinson almost led the Addicks to an immediate return as they spent most of last season in the top two before losing in the play-offs on penalties.
Key man: Johnnie Jackson. The versatile left-footer has shone in the lower leagues since being released by Tottenham in 2006 and helped Notts County win the League Two title last season. The 27-year-old joined Charlton on loan in February to ease County's wage bill and although the spell was cut short by injury, Parkinson was keen to make the move permanent this summer to compensate for the loss of midfielders Jonjo Shelvey and Nick Bailey.
Position last season: 4th
Players in: Johnnie Jackson (Notts County, free), Gary Doherty (Norwich, free), Alan McCormack (Southend, free), Kyel Reid (Sheff United, free), Akpo Sodje (Sheffield Wednesday, free), Simon Francis (Southend, free), Pawel Abbott (Oldham, nominal)
Players out: Jonjo Shelvey (Liverpool, £1.7m), Nick Bailey (Middlesbrough, £1.4m), Deon Burton (Gabala, free), Matthew Spring (Leyton Orient, free), Darren Randolph (Motherwell, free), Stuart Fleetwood (Hereford, undisclosed), Frazer Richardson (Southampton, signed), Lloyd Sam (Leeds, free), Leon McKenzie, Chris Dickson, Dean Sinclair, Jack Clark, Tony Warner, Yassin Moutaoukil (all released) Izale McLeod (mutual consent)
Our view:: After relinquishing their grip on a top-two spot last season, there will be pressure on Charlton to secure promotion this time round. Whether they can depends on how they cope with the loss of key players like Shelvey, Bailey and Deon Burton.
Prediction: 2nd
Sky Bet odds: 14/1 to win League One
I'm not sure Jackson will be our key man though, he will start life as a left back, and will face fierce competition from Semedo, McCormack, Racon, Reid and the second striker for a place anywhere else on the pitch
Wouldn't read too much into that if I were you.
And Semedo is one of the best too.
We really need to make this season count and get ourselves promoted to keep hold of these two
And Semedo is one of the best too.
We really need to make this season count and get ourselves promoted to keep hold of these two[/quote]
Spot on.
Until we get that 20+ goals striker, that is.
Also dont agree with Key man for me Semedo & Reidy close 2nd- Semedo more conisistent but Reid will be our match winner more
at the mo i'd go for 5th or 6th with current squad and few anybodys coming to aid us, unsure how vital jj will be this year depends where we are thinking of playing him im guessing LB until Yougas fit then may put him in centre with Semedo thats my bet
Of course, we have to replace Burton and Baileys goals and then add a few more, so that striker will be key. By my reckoning three more goals last season and we would have been automatic!
I have to say our first 11 is easily good enough on paper to make a push for the top 2. Shame we'll be lucky to see it past October. If we were to sign say a Gary Borrowdale on loan, Waggy adds crossing to his undoubted talent, and we find a striker able to fill in for Sodje's glass legs it could move onto a very interseting winter period.
Best player in the division?...........Might make a lousy centreback or keeper though!
;o)
In my opinion, our first 11 compared to this time last year (including Bauza) is just as strong - if not stronger.
don't worry i'll keep you all updated after each match;-)
They are definitely going to be up there.
That kind of thinking will definately make sure we are mid table .
(Deep breath and walks out of the room)
I'm hoping that Bauza has been put on the backburner now that the financial situation has changed slightly following the Murray buyout.
Might see him signed if we don't get our new target.