As the season starts today (sort of) havent yet seen one of these threads and normally interesting to look back on as the season unfolds.
Prediction: Promotion
Expectations: A convincing top six
Hopes: Squad gels and we look competitive and the team and us make The Valley a place where teams don't look forward to or enjoy playing. We appear to be moving in the right direction off the pitch so now need to follw suit on it.
Bonus: A good run in the JPT, beating Millwall pre season and maybe a cup draw against Palace away (winning of course). Not asking for much ha ha.
Looking forward to: Seeing a team emerge and develop from the collection of players that have come in and some good away days. Feel good factor back at The Valley.
Comments
Expectations: solid team playing winning football but more Southampton than Brighton. Hayes and Taylor the unsung heroes.
Hopes: That the dip that will come at some time during the season won't be met by Booing and calls for Powells head.
Bonus; we achieve at least level 2 academy status and have, by seasons end, more ST holders than last time.
Looking forward: the Academy and scouting networks continue to grow and so add good young players to what is already a young side. Average age of players stays low and we are seen as a desirable place for promising young players to join.
Expectations: Players wanting to play for the team, playing good passing football but also being able to 'mix-it' when required.
Hopes: Valley becomes a fortress, booing is a thing of the past and we exceed 20k fans for home games on a regular basis.
Bonus: Have a decent cup run and win some matches live on sky!!
Looking Forward: We have built a side capable of competing in the Championship so we dont have to have wholesale changes next season and the team can grow in stature as we progress with just one or two additions when needed.
Expectations - inconsistent start but ok. Good run mid season with dip in January.
Hopes - real signs of progress on the pitch with CP looking the part.
Looking forward - leaving The Valley feeling good not depressed.
Prediction: promotion
Expectation: promotion
Hopes: Good fotball, squad gelling and getting stronger
Bonus: FA Cup run
Looking forward to: a couple of scalps in the cup competitions and squad looking like it can cope with the championship
Expectation: promotion
Hopes: This season heralds in the dawn of a new era...
Bonus: JPT finalists
I've watched and listened to the new players' interviews on Charlton Player and a finer bunch of determined and consummate looking professionals I've yet to meet. To me they look and sound the business and if they can match their projected enthusiasm on the pitch then I'm truly looking forward to the new season, the first time in a long time...
1- Huddersfield
2- Charlton
3- Sheffield Utd
4- Sheffield Wed
5- scunthorpe
6 - MK Dons
There will be a lot of clubs in the mix this coming season: Sheffield U, Sheffield W, Huddersfield, Hartlepool, Carlisle, Scunthorpe, Stevenage, Exeter, preston and Orient will all be giving it a right good go.
Chris Powell has spent a bit of money, has attracted some good free transfers and assembled an exciting looking young team which for a change has a good all round look about it in all departments.
Prediction:
1& 2 Sheffield U and Charlton
Play Offs: Scunthorpe, Sheffield W, Hartlepool and Stevenage.
Player of the season: Danny Green
Top Scorer: Paul Benson (Wright-Phillips will be injury prone)
Captain: Matt Taylor
If payers gel, you could see a scenario where we do a Brighton. But with so new a squad and an unproven manager- we will have question marks until it all comes together.
New manager, several new signings - I reckon they could be around the playoff positions.
Expectations: Good football with a team ethic and willing to fight for each other
Hopes: SCP shuns his critics and we don't rely on loan players.
Bonus: we get to wembley and win the jpt against sheffield wednesday.
Expectations: An improvement in the style of football. To make The Valley a difficult place for the opposition to visit.
Hopes: That Chris Powell is still our manager next May. If that happens it's been a good season.
Bonus: To finally see Charlton Athletic score 6 goals in a game (35 years and counting). BWP and Jackson sign contract extensions.
Prediction: Play-off semi-final defeat. Goals and assists from Green. Wagstaff to really push him for a place with a goal v Bournemouth and later good performances off the bench. Morrison to impress.
Expectations: A strong challenge for promotion.
Hopes: Most (or all!) signings work out well, we play decent football and Powell shows he is a good manager resulting in us getting promoted. No one picks up any major injuries.
Bonus: We play attractive winning football. One or two of the younger players become regulars in the match day squad. We win the JPT.
Looking forward to: Who the last few signings are. The first few competitive games when we'll see a team much closer to our best 11.
Not looking forward to: Over use of words like "pride" and "passion" if we're doing well. We had hard working players last season, but this summer we've had good money for League 1 to spend on proven players. Quality players make a huge difference.
Expectations: Nice passing football with every player trying their hardest and winning the majority of our games at home.
Bonus: We win the JPT
Looking forward to: Everything
Expection. Finish 8th
Hope. None of the above happen
Expectations: At the very least Playoffs
Hopes: Automatic promotion, playing some nice football along the way
Bonus: Nice football. Maybe a cup run but it would probably just prove a distraction
Looking forward to: Getting out of this pony division (hopefully)
Expectations we will win the league
Hope we will win the league
Bonus we will win the league
Looking forward to winning the league
E - Play adventurous passing football
H - Finish top 2
B - Cup run, eventually go out to top Prem team after replay away.
Expectation - comfortable top 6
Hope - something for my boy to be proud of / cheer. Promotion should do it.
Bonus - a cup upset, our way this time though
20% automatic promotion 70% play offs 10% let's pretend it isn't as bad as it really is
Prediction - a top 4 finish
Expectations - top 6
Hope- that Sir Chris Powell becomes a managing legend for us (us good guys deserve a break)
Bonus- scum relegated
Looking forward to - the chance of getting out of this league and potentially/eventually not being south londons poniest team
Expectations: Top 2Hopes: Top 2
Bonus: Some high scoring away wins.
Looking forward to: Going to the Valley at not seeing Francis