I also find it interesting that so many people seem willing to boot out some of the players who have worked so hard this year to get us promoted. I wonder what the reaction from the fans would be if a player showed a similar level of 'loyalty'? No doubt some would say there is no room for sentiment in football, but I do feel that the current core squad have all earned the right to prove themselves at the next level - even if supplemented with a few extra signings. There is a lot to be said for team spirit, and it's been a long time since I've seen a Charlton team who obviously want to win as much as the current squad.
I understand your point and we will need a mixture of new and current players. At one of the forums CP said that there were come players who were bought specifically for L1 promotion. It will be CP's role to identify who in the current squad is capable of performing at Championship levle, if they think a player won't they cannot really take the risk of having them as anyhing more than a squad player.
I got it wrong - when he was appointed I was afraid that Chris Powell was too much of a nice guy to make the tough decisions needed. Yes, he's a gentleman and I believe he treats the players fairly, but he now doesn't strike me as someone who is going to be swayed by emotions.
So (assuming there is a transfer budget), players who aren't going to make the grade in the Championship will be let go and cleverly scouted replacements will be brought in.
I have every faith in CP and the management team. However, I don't think we should heap too much expectation on the team - it may not come together as well next season as it has this. I'd be happy to avoid relegation next season - anything else would be a bonus.
This is all still a bit of daft thread. How can we possibly have any expectations without knowing which clubs we will be playing and how our squad develops?
There's a huge difference playing in a league containing West Ham, Birmingham, both Sheffield clubs, QPR and Villa....or playing in a league with Brentford, Blackburn and Bolton.
Lets give it a couple of weeks before we start predicting promotion or relegation eh? And enjoy what's left of this year!
It will be CP's role to identify who in the current squad is capable of performing at Championship levle
I would like to think he already did this when he made most of his signings last year esprcially those on 3 year deals. Fine tuning is all that is required imo and those that were signed with the short term in mind will be off as will one or two who never cut the mustard and of course not forgetting poor old Doc. By the way how do you rate SCP's man management skils now that promotion has been sealed then Kap10?
It will definately be a season where Chris Powell will show his worth as a manager. He has done really well this year after a rubbish first season. Hopefully he can continue to improve as a manager.
My guess is that we nick the final playoff spot on the last day of the season.
It will definately be a season where Chris Powell will show his worth as a manager. He has done really well this year after a rubbish first season. Hopefully he can continue to improve as a manager.
My guess is that we nick the final playoff spot on the last day of the season.
Had he have turned that shower round he inherited, that would have been a miracle!
The bigger picture is simple, the current owners are not in this for the long term, they saw Charlton as a distressed asset and picked it up on the relative cheap (as well as the debts) because they saw that a return to the Premier League could make them a nice few quid.
As a result, they don't want to hang around the CCC for 4-5 years, they want to get into the PL and increase their chances of selling to a Tony Fernandes type (like the QPR mob did) and walk away with a nice few quid tucked away.
Once you're in the PL with the multi-million pound TV deals then the game changes totally so its probably worth these guys ponying up another round of transfer investment to achieve their bigger goal.
Find it hard to disagree with this view. Although even the most ambitious plans can falter.
I got it wrong - when he was appointed I was afraid that Chris Powell was too much of a nice guy to make the tough decisions needed. Yes, he's a gentleman and I believe he treats the players fairly, but he now doesn't strike me as someone who is going to be swayed by emotions.
So (assuming there is a transfer budget), players who aren't going to make the grade in the Championship will be let go and cleverly scouted replacements will be brought in.
I have every faith in CP and the management team. However, I don't think we should heap too much expectation on the team - it may not come together as well next season as it has this. I'd be happy to avoid relegation next season - anything else would be a bonus.
Agree, beneath the nice-guy exterior he seems to have ruthless streak which is the perfect blend in the football manager!
i think the main area we ned to strengthen is centre midfield. We need to sign another player to accompany Hollands. It has looked our weakest area since Russel and Hollands were suspended. Still though, I have very high hopes for next season !! Can we do a norwich ?? We'll just have to wait and see !!
This thread worries me a bit. A lot of people keep saying playoffs which is fine my fear is that if we don't achieve than the fans will get on the players back and make the valley doom and gloom again.
Exactly , 1st aim is stay up , anything else is a bonus for me , lets not put pressure on ourselves and end up disappointed , Chris has done a great job so far , lets leave him to do his stuff....
The bigger question of the summer is ... who will we play in the peoples cup in Preseason?
Momentum is everything in Football, that's why I expect Powell to push for us to win the remaining fixtures, I expect some money to be spent in the close season, I think we will be surprised at how our current players respond and the calibre of player Powell goes for, and signs. With all this in mind I think we will be there or there a bouts next season, play offs for me.
I would be over the moon if we survived by goal difference on the final day of the season and I mean that. I'm pretty surprised at the number of people saying mid table or higher. Given how long the club was in free fall for, and how many clubs have unrealistic expectations and pay the price I can't believe people are so keen to rush progress.
softly softly catch monkey... get any in transfers done soon as poss so the new players have time to bed in and take it from there, would be happy with mid table now if offered, championship has gone from strength to strength since we have been away, there will be no easy games next year unless of course wednesday go up through the playoffs...
Actually think we'll do better tho, even just with the current squad, and end up around 12-14th. No pressure tho, happy for a young manager and squad to test themselves out in the Championship and work out what is needed. Cant wait to play Leicester and show them what they could have won
Powell said at the VIP Q & A something along the line of "having to wait for the play-offs to finish" before signing players from this division.
My guess is that some deals are already lined up, if not done and a few more will happen when MK Dons lose to Brentford in the PO final. Glesson, Bowditch and Daniel Powell. The latter for two reasons. 1. He is very good, 2. his name is Danny and SCP can never have too many Danny's in his squad.
Powell said at the VIP Q & A something along the line of "having to wait for the play-offs to finish" before signing players from this division.
My guess is that some deals are already lined up, if not done and a few more will happen when MK Dons lose to Brentford in the PO final. Glesson, Bowditch and Daniel Powell. The latter for two reasons. 1. He is very good, 2. his name is Danny and SCP can never have too many Danny's in his squad.
Not enough Jacks to go with the Danny's though ? ;0)
We have some players who will definitely move on - Doherty, Alonso and most likely Hayes.
At left back I wouldn't be surprised to see Wiggins go if the money is right, Evina from what little we've seen of him would be a great and cheap replacement.
We need a right-back to cover for Solly - is Jordan Cousins ready? Similarly can Mambo replace Doherty at CB?
When saying I'd be happy with 14th and above, I don't mean to suggest that I'd be unhappy with survival in the division at the lower end of the table. It's just that finishing just above the relegation zone implies a season of struggle, and I don't expect that. I think SCP is better than that, and will continue to push the club forward.
I suspect that we have just completed step one of a five year plan to return to the very top. I am also sure that we have already identified the people that we would like to strengthen the squad, although I am mindful of the need to maintain the brilliant spirit which has been created by CP and his team. The owners have stayed quietly in the background which I like, but as we rise we will hopefully learn a bit more about them and their ambitions. Stating the obvious I can't wait to hit the Championship again, and cross swords with our London 'friends' as well. What a pity old Tango man has gone from Selhurst, whatever happened to him ?
As much as I love the squad we have at the moment I can imagine that one or two of our top performers may get sold as other clubs put in top offers for them. The board/owners want return on their investment and players were signed with one eye on their sell-on value as much as their ability to play.
The key to how we do is how much Chris gets to play with in the transfer market because we will need to strengthen whatever the scenario, be it pure survival or a push for back to back promotion. And I expect Chris to be both canny and ruthless with who stays and who goes.
In answer to the question, my expectation is to stay in the Championship and be treated to some great football matches. Anything more will be an absolute bonus.
And one more thing... this season's team (playing and backroom) will live long in the memory of the club and the fans. Thank you for absolutely everything!
As I see it the way to make money out of this scenario is to get us into the prem by spending as little as possible, then flog us to the highest bidder, I assume they are in this for profit?
I guesss another way would be to do the same on relatively low overheads and rake in premiership revenues.
Either way I doubt we'll see large amounts of cash being splashed, but also doubt anyone of much value would be sold either - but pretty much the approach from this year to bolster any weak areas to compete in the champs
Comments
Personally, I'd be delighted with top half
we'll walk it.
So (assuming there is a transfer budget), players who aren't going to make the grade in the Championship will be let go and cleverly scouted replacements will be brought in.
I have every faith in CP and the management team. However, I don't think we should heap too much expectation on the team - it may not come together as well next season as it has this. I'd be happy to avoid relegation next season - anything else would be a bonus.
There's a huge difference playing in a league containing West Ham, Birmingham, both Sheffield clubs, QPR and Villa....or playing in a league with Brentford, Blackburn and Bolton.
Lets give it a couple of weeks before we start predicting promotion or relegation eh? And enjoy what's left of this year!
He has done really well this year after a rubbish first season. Hopefully he can
continue to improve as a manager.
My guess is that we nick the final playoff spot on the last day of the season.
Find it hard to disagree with this view. Although even the most ambitious plans can falter.
The bigger question of the summer is ... who will we play in the peoples cup in Preseason?
With all this in mind I think we will be there or there a bouts next season, play offs for me.
I'd love a play-off spot but would be happy with 14th or above.
Have we learnt nothing from the last 5 years?
Actually think we'll do better tho, even just with the current squad, and end up around 12-14th. No pressure tho, happy for a young manager and squad to test themselves out in the Championship and work out what is needed. Cant wait to play Leicester and show them what they could have won
My guess is that some deals are already lined up, if not done and a few more will happen when MK Dons lose to Brentford in the PO final. Glesson, Bowditch and Daniel Powell. The latter for two reasons. 1. He is very good, 2. his name is Danny and SCP can never have too many Danny's in his squad.
At left back I wouldn't be surprised to see Wiggins go if the money is right, Evina from what little we've seen of him would be a great and cheap replacement.
We need a right-back to cover for Solly - is Jordan Cousins ready? Similarly can Mambo replace Doherty at CB?
Sign short players - relegation
Sign tall players - promotion
The key to how we do is how much Chris gets to play with in the transfer market because we will need to strengthen whatever the scenario, be it pure survival or a push for back to back promotion. And I expect Chris to be both canny and ruthless with who stays and who goes.
In answer to the question, my expectation is to stay in the Championship and be treated to some great football matches. Anything more will be an absolute bonus.
And one more thing... this season's team (playing and backroom) will live long in the memory of the club and the fans. Thank you for absolutely everything!
As I see it the way to make money out of this scenario is to get us into the prem by spending as little as possible, then flog us to the highest bidder, I assume they are in this for profit?
I guesss another way would be to do the same on relatively low overheads and rake in premiership revenues.
Either way I doubt we'll see large amounts of cash being splashed, but also doubt anyone of much value would be sold either - but pretty much the approach from this year to bolster any weak areas to compete in the champs