For my money the most interesting developments on this TDD have been up at Stoke.
It looks to me like they are having their very own "Murphy, Rommedahl, Jeffers" moment and are moving on from signing the best CCC players etc. to signing top-class Premiership players like Crouch.
The key thing for them will be in keeping the squad harmonious even though Crouch/Palacios will be on far bigger wages than the rest of the players.
Interesting times at the Britannia Stadium, they'll be OK this season but they are now at the point where they are changing the culture at the club and that's always the big risk.
For my money the most interesting developments on this TDD have been up at Stoke.
It looks to me like they are having their very own "Murphy, Rommedahl, Jeffers" moment and are moving on from signing the best CCC players etc. to signing top-class Premiership players like Crouch.
The key thing for them will be in keeping the squad harmonious even though Crouch/Palacios will be on far bigger wages than the rest of the players.
Interesting times at the Britannia Stadium, they'll be OK this season but they are now at the point where they are changing the culture at the club and that's always the big risk.
Not that big a risk. Neither of their signings will change the way they play (let's face it, Pulis couldn't exactly be trusted to play anything other than clogging up the midfield and smacking it up to a big front man). Shouldn't think either Crouch or Palacios were on stupid money at Spurs either - Levy is notoriously tight. Plus Stoke have got a little bit of extra cash coming in from the Europa League (not as much as the Chumpions' League, admittedly, but enough for them to be able to afford a punt on a couple of players.
If he'd gone out and signed players like Arteta, Joe Cole or Yossi Benayoun, that would have been a risk!
Not the most exciting deadline day for us, but in the cold light of day quite sensible. We have added another player with potential that we hope to mold into a star of the future, but as we did not need to buy we didn't. So far we have all been impressed with our strength in depth and the togetherness of the squad, so why risk that with a last minute panic buy? Other teams have left their business late or find that their earlier signings were not what they hoped for and so have had to do last minute deals. We got in early and had a great summer basking in other people's envy, I know which scenario I prefer.
If need be there is always the loan window or January if a long term injury should rear it's ugly head.
For my money the most interesting developments on this TDD have been up at Stoke.
It looks to me like they are having their very own "Murphy, Rommedahl, Jeffers" moment and are moving on from signing the best CCC players etc. to signing top-class Premiership players like Crouch.
The key thing for them will be in keeping the squad harmonious even though Crouch/Palacios will be on far bigger wages than the rest of the players.
Interesting times at the Britannia Stadium, they'll be OK this season but they are now at the point where they are changing the culture at the club and that's always the big risk.
Not that big a risk. Neither of their signings will change the way they play (let's face it, Pulis couldn't exactly be trusted to play anything other than clogging up the midfield and smacking it up to a big front man). Shouldn't think either Crouch or Palacios were on stupid money at Spurs either - Levy is notoriously tight. Plus Stoke have got a little bit of extra cash coming in from the Europa League (not as much as the Chumpions' League, admittedly, but enough for them to be able to afford a punt on a couple of players.
If he'd gone out and signed players like Arteta, Joe Cole or Yossi Benayoun, that would have been a risk!
Fair enough Leroy, but don't forget Crouch went to Spurs from Liverpool where he would have been on big money, he would have been on decent enough money at Spurs (although not on Chelsea/Man City wages) and I just can't see him taking a big pay cut to go to Stoke, especially as he had a while left on his current deal.
Its not just about the money though, its about changing the culture of the team and replacing warriors like Fuller, Higginbotham, Delap, Whitehead - the blokes who got them where they are - with people from outside the club like the two new boys from Spurs.
I felt that when we brought in those three "name" players in the summer of 2004 that the fabric of the club changed and we never quite got it back, even though we stayed up for another three seasons.
From our league's point of view Beevers and MacNamee into MK is good business as is Sheff U getting Hutton. Fleck could be amazing, but seems to be one that never managed to live up to his potential.
Not the most exciting deadline day for us, but in the cold light of day quite sensible. We have added another player with potential that we hope to mold into a star of the future, but as we did not need to buy we didn't. So far we have all been impressed with our strength in depth and the togetherness of the squad, so why risk that with a last minute panic buy? Other teams have left their business late or find that their earlier signings were not what they hoped for and so have had to do last minute deals. We got in early and had a great summer basking in other people's envy, I know which scenario I prefer.
If need be there is always the loan window or January if a long term injury should rear it's ugly head.
I'm liking the intelligence this board is showing at the moment , not been reckless and splashing out but carefully planning where we want to get to, i couldn't have dreamt we would have signed 18 new players this transfer window , my only thought going forwards is how much business do you do in January?
I would have to agree that the summer signings we have seen have all looked good, and probably in most peoples minds better than we thought was possible back in June.
However, we do still lack something up-front. Currently we have 2 first choice strikers (BWP & Hayes) with Euell & Benno (now that it looks like he is staying) fighting it out for a spot on the bench. AND THAT IS IT. Popo is too young & raw and the Michael Smith has been deemed "one for the future" and not likely to be considered for the first team (well, ceretainly not for league games - maybe the cups ?)
This is simply not enough for any team looking to gain promotion.
All we can hope is that CP has got an ace or two up his sleeve and looking to bring in a couple of loanees when the loan window opens in a week or two. Otherwise God helps us if BWP gets injured.
As for Waggy.............he is not the answer. Yes he is a good finisher but its different coming in off the wing to score than playing "up-top" all game, otherwise the likes of Shearer,Bent, Rooney would not go for millions they do.
I've said it before & i'll keep on saying in. we will not get promoted with the current strikers we have.
Did the clubs promoted in the last couple of years each have 4 forwards better than BWP, Hayes, Benson and Euell? I doubt it
I think the answer is no. If you throw Waggy into the mix, and add the goals of Jacko, and (hopefully) Hollands, Stephens and Green, and it looks pretty strong from where I am sitting.
I still think there may be a loanee or two coming in.
As for this summer, I have been supporting the Addicks now for 40+ years and I can't remember one like it. Quantity doesn't always mean quality but so far, those who have made the first team squad look to be quality not just at this level but also potentially for the next one.
I think that real credit should go to the Board for what they have achieved and much of it done weeks ago. There seems to me to be a professionalism of approach (clearly backed with some money) that shines through. I am giving credit to TJ and MS, but also to RM and PV because I am sure their experience has added great value to this process.
For me, we dont have an impact striker. Someone who can change a game when things arent going well. We need either a Howard-esque lump or a speedster like Schlup.
It might not be either, but I'd like to see a loan which fits either of the above criteria.
Spot on Clem !! I'm not saying that the 4 we have are any better or worse than what other teams have but during a 46 match season there are times when the match is poised at 1-1 with 10 mins to go and you need an "impact" sub to change the game.
Last season we at least had Ecclestone to throw on - my fear is that season it may have to be Frank Nouble !!!this
Comments
For my money the most interesting developments on this TDD have been up at Stoke.
It looks to me like they are having their very own "Murphy, Rommedahl, Jeffers" moment and are moving on from signing the best CCC players etc. to signing top-class Premiership players like Crouch.
The key thing for them will be in keeping the squad harmonious even though Crouch/Palacios will be on far bigger wages than the rest of the players.
Interesting times at the Britannia Stadium, they'll be OK this season but they are now at the point where they are changing the culture at the club and that's always the big risk.
If he'd gone out and signed players like Arteta, Joe Cole or Yossi Benayoun, that would have been a risk!
Not the most exciting deadline day for us, but in the cold light of day quite sensible. We have added another player with potential that we hope to mold into a star of the future, but as we did not need to buy we didn't. So far we have all been impressed with our strength in depth and the togetherness of the squad, so why risk that with a last minute panic buy? Other teams have left their business late or find that their earlier signings were not what they hoped for and so have had to do last minute deals. We got in early and had a great summer basking in other people's envy, I know which scenario I prefer.
If need be there is always the loan window or January if a long term injury should rear it's ugly head.
Fair enough Leroy, but don't forget Crouch went to Spurs from Liverpool where he would have been on big money, he would have been on decent enough money at Spurs (although not on Chelsea/Man City wages) and I just can't see him taking a big pay cut to go to Stoke, especially as he had a while left on his current deal.
Its not just about the money though, its about changing the culture of the team and replacing warriors like Fuller, Higginbotham, Delap, Whitehead - the blokes who got them where they are - with people from outside the club like the two new boys from Spurs.
I felt that when we brought in those three "name" players in the summer of 2004 that the fabric of the club changed and we never quite got it back, even though we stayed up for another three seasons.
However, we do still lack something up-front. Currently we have 2 first choice strikers (BWP & Hayes) with Euell & Benno (now that it looks like he is staying) fighting it out for a spot on the bench. AND THAT IS IT. Popo is too young & raw and the Michael Smith has been deemed "one for the future" and not likely to be considered for the first team (well, ceretainly not for league games - maybe the cups ?)
This is simply not enough for any team looking to gain promotion.
All we can hope is that CP has got an ace or two up his sleeve and looking to bring in a couple of loanees when the loan window opens in a week or two. Otherwise God helps us if BWP gets injured.
As for Waggy.............he is not the answer. Yes he is a good finisher but its different coming in off the wing to score than playing "up-top" all game, otherwise the likes of Shearer,Bent, Rooney would not go for millions they do.
I've said it before & i'll keep on saying in. we will not get promoted with the current strikers we have.
It might not be either, but I'd like to see a loan which fits either of the above criteria.
Afobe would be ideal.
Last season we at least had Ecclestone to throw on - my fear is that season it may have to be Frank Nouble !!!this
I went down to the Chelsea drugstore
To get your prescription filled
I was standing in line with Mr. Jimmy
And man, did he look pretty ill