The players still all being here shows the good team spirit we have at are advantage as unless i missed something, none of are stars have asked to leave, as we all no the players and the agents hold the power.
We ahve a big squad that was far to good for Div 1 as the 101 points proves. That squad assembled by Poweel and funded by the board is still with us-------as said thats good news.
Do we know if its good enough for the Chumps Division ? no we dont. However it should be good enough to keep us up.
Not really looking forward to the season, feel its going to be a hard and long road after such a cracking one last year.
Didnt expect us to spend millions but as much as i knew we werent minted its naffing sad as shit that we are skint again.
I don't expect a top 10 finish but would be delighted with being top of the second half of the league.
We managed to boss alot of teams last season. It will be a test of character for the team this season in the way that we won't get what we want this season and may get outplayed sometimes.
Still hoping for a starting 11 CM to come in but doesn't look likely. Happy enough with what we have signed as the majority of players we signed last season were expected to push on and be suitable for the Championship.
Overall I feel positive about the coming season - crucial for me is the fact we haven't lost any players we wouldn't want to lose and I also think the 7 subs rule is going to make a big difference, along with the fact that it looks like we're going to have more flexibility and different options re formation/tactics than we've had recently and I'm sure we'll need that. But like most on here, would just like that one more striker to be completely happy...
I'm happy we haven't brought in lots of new faces. It is something fans always want but in a team like ours which is young and still has a great deal of development posiibility and did so well last season, it is very short sighted IMO to assume that there will not be further improvement. I not opposed to a couple of signings but I'd prefer to see where they are needed after a few games - if indeed they are needed at all. I'd hate to bring in a striker say who might displace BWP as I think he is capable of having a storming season and he deserves the chance to show it. The message you send out to other players in a united tight squad is not good if you do this also.
Now if fans really understand at this point what levels of improvement players like Pritchard, Stephens etc... have made - well I'm impressed, but as we will be safe in the worst case scenario, I can't see any reason for testing the water. It is quite possible that we can be very competetive with basically the same side - changing the way we play slightly to deal with differences at this level.
Well some of you lot seem to think you do - I haven't seen SCP saying we wont be competetive this season. He can't say we are going to win the league but sounds confident to me in interviews I have heard.
Well some of you lot seem to think you do - I haven't seen SCP saying we wont be competetive this season. He can't say we are going to win the league but sounds confident to me in interviews I have heard.
Exactly, every manager in the world wants more then he has in the squad, look at Man City, amazing squad yet Mancini is not completly happy, big difference between Chrissy wanting a few more players and him saying we are rubbish like some posters seem to believe.
At the end of the day no one really knows how the season will unfold until we're at least a few games in. Yes, we're playing with predominantly the same team as last year and we stormed that, albeit in a lower league. Yes, we've made some additions which some people would have liked to be stronger whilst others are happy with. But I think what a lot of people are missing is the ability of Chris Powell to mould and motivate a team to want to play together. He proved it last year and I see no reason why that shouldn't happen again this year. Stay positive lads and lasses and get behind the team and, above all, have faith in Sir Chris. I think we'll do just fine.
The players still all being here shows the good team spirit we have at are advantage as unless i missed something, none of are stars have asked to leave, as we all no the players and the agents hold the power.
Good point. We're all aware of the (probably unplanned) changes at board level and no one's celebrating the departure of PV and SK but the important thing is the loyalty of our players, who have ensured that there are no negative noises out of the club.
Most clubs have issues at the top - manu have the awful glazers, liverpool are similar, arsenal hate their board, even man city seem to have behind the scenes issues and they haven't signed anyone. The good thing is that we don't have the big egos that they do so no one has come out like a rooney, torres, modric or rvp to say "the club is not showing ambition and i want to leave". I could never see Yann, Bwp or Jacko doing that.
And that's probably the biggest reason we haven't sold anyone - if your star player is not moaning or asking for big wages, it's hard to forcefully push him out of a club he loves.
-Touch Wood- I think BWP could do well again this year, he's stated he thinks CCC football will suit him more and hes also showed some real enthusiasm and passion towards the club in that article yesterday.
Jackson sounded up for it on Talksport yesterday too. If Yann puts in the same effort as last season I know he can go on and do good things, he also has a point to prove in this league.
The back 4 is quality, might need better backup in case of injuries - but Wilson may begin to show some quality when he settled in and weve yet to see Dorian play. There seems to be a good togetherness with the defence though, Hamer is a good quality keeper and is generally commanding of the defence.
Midfield i think JJ and GreenStaff could do a job, then we half Stephens and Hollands too - obviously this is relying on match fitness. I have high hopes for Kerkar, hopefully Haynes can show some of his pace off this year and we also have Cook - who looks a bit dangerous.
Up top we have Kermogant - and as said above, I think this is his true level. He is a real playmaker at times, not scared to take people on and get roughed up/strangled. BWP can bring qualIty when on form, and after a few months to recharge his batteries, get some confidence during preseason and so on - Im hoping he'll be on form. I wouldn't feel to bad with Hayes where needed either.
Id like to see some cover up top, I think the idea of including Clarke is a joke - the guy is a disruption to the team and doesn't even have the quality to even pretend hes allowed such an ego!
Overall I think we've got some quality players and I'm not too pessimistic. Id like some more cover ideally, and another striker - yet ill wait for the end of the month before worrying too much. I also think we need 4 or 5 games to really make a true assessment of the team.
To those who are saying no one wanted Dorian and that says a lot, it's probably because his knee. Who else do we know with a dodgy Knee? Powell has a knack for giving chances where they are generally deserved!
I'm not saying were gonna boss this league, and yes - we will lose games. I think well be safe and ready to make a push next season though - sticking to the plan!
What concerns me, is the quality of cover, not the size of the squad. The bench players come mid season will play a crucial role in who we can bring on, if and when players are injured.I think we have a tough start, trouble is 5-6 games in is too late to do much about changing the style of play. So Chris has to get on with it, and we have to support the team, however difficult it may be. Hopefully if we can get a good start the players and fans can relax a bit and play at what I regard as Charlton's level, which I think is outside the top 10 at the end of the season, but not in the bottom pack ( at least I hope not)
Well some of you lot seem to think you do - I haven't seen SCP saying we wont be competetive this season. He can't say we are going to win the league but sounds confident to me in interviews I have heard.
Of course CP won't say we will not be competitive, how unprofessional would that be, he has however made it pretty clear he has wanted to make signings that have not happened.
This squad has shown it can be greater than the sum of its parts but this step up will test most of the players. A shaky start need not be doom and gloom if SCP can maintain team spirit and palyers get a chance to settle at this level. On balance, I agree with I-A's assessment and pleased that we will now see some real action on the pitch on which to base any further predictions.
I really hope we go all out and attack today, if we lose we lose I really don't want to see us playing that defensive minded football we all saw last season. Not in this league please. Birmingham is hard place to go to, to get a result, I reckon they'll be in top two this season.
In my heart I want us to win today and against Leicester on Tuesday, but if we lose both maybe the board might sign some better players?
Win/lose or draw today we need to add to the squad there is no doubting it.
I think we have to keep it tight - approach it in the same way as we approached tough away games last season. We need to rely on our organisation and strong defence and that bit of quality we possess to create something.
A good time to play them as long as we can subdue them for first half an hour or so.
I want us to play winning football that's decent to watch. Don't have a problem if it's patient and defensive.
Agree, don't think we are defensive all of last season either.
I think fewer teams will try and shut up shop against us as we're no longer the big fish in a small pond so maybe more open football anyway. Hopefully our defence keep up their good record.
I wasn't there today but from what I heard we were very attack minded. Maybe shouldn't have changed the team at the end, bringing on a defender for attacking player just entices the opposition to attack.
all in all would have taken a draw from the off just shame 2pts points were stolen from us at the end.
Maybe we shouldn't but that is what we normally do, and most other teams for that matter. Just one of those things - not a problem - a long season but every reason to feel confident about it.
Comments
That squad assembled by Poweel and funded by the board is still with us-------as said thats good news.
Do we know if its good enough for the Chumps Division ? no we dont. However it should be good enough to keep us up.
Not really looking forward to the season, feel its going to be a hard and long road after such a cracking one last year.
Didnt expect us to spend millions but as much as i knew we werent minted its naffing sad as shit that we are skint again.
We managed to boss alot of teams last season. It will be a test of character for the team this season in the way that we won't get what we want this season and may get outplayed sometimes.
Still hoping for a starting 11 CM to come in but doesn't look likely. Happy enough with what we have signed as the majority of players we signed last season were expected to push on and be suitable for the Championship.
Now if fans really understand at this point what levels of improvement players like Pritchard, Stephens etc... have made - well I'm impressed, but as we will be safe in the worst case scenario, I can't see any reason for testing the water. It is quite possible that we can be very competetive with basically the same side - changing the way we play slightly to deal with differences at this level.
Most clubs have issues at the top - manu have the awful glazers, liverpool are similar, arsenal hate their board, even man city seem to have behind the scenes issues and they haven't signed anyone. The good thing is that we don't have the big egos that they do so no one has come out like a rooney, torres, modric or rvp to say "the club is not showing ambition and i want to leave". I could never see Yann, Bwp or Jacko doing that.
And that's probably the biggest reason we haven't sold anyone - if your star player is not moaning or asking for big wages, it's hard to forcefully push him out of a club he loves.
-Touch Wood- I think BWP could do well again this year, he's stated he thinks CCC football will suit him more and hes also showed some real enthusiasm and passion towards the club in that article yesterday.
Jackson sounded up for it on Talksport yesterday too. If Yann puts in the same effort as last season I know he can go on and do good things, he also has a point to prove in this league.
The back 4 is quality, might need better backup in case of injuries - but Wilson may begin to show some quality when he settled in and weve yet to see Dorian play. There seems to be a good togetherness with the defence though, Hamer is a good quality keeper and is generally commanding of the defence.
Midfield i think JJ and GreenStaff could do a job, then we half Stephens and Hollands too - obviously this is relying on match fitness. I have high hopes for Kerkar, hopefully Haynes can show some of his pace off this year and we also have Cook - who looks a bit dangerous.
Up top we have Kermogant - and as said above, I think this is his true level. He is a real playmaker at times, not scared to take people on and get roughed up/strangled.
Id like to see some cover up top, I think the idea of including Clarke is a joke - the guy is a disruption to the team and doesn't even have the quality to even pretend hes allowed such an ego!
Overall I think we've got some quality players and I'm not too pessimistic. Id like some more cover ideally, and another striker - yet ill wait for the end of the month before worrying too much. I also think we need 4 or 5 games to really make a true assessment of the team.
To those who are saying no one wanted Dorian and that says a lot, it's probably because his knee. Who else do we know with a dodgy Knee?
I'm not saying were gonna boss this league, and yes - we will lose games. I think well be safe and ready to make a push next season though - sticking to the plan!
So Chris has to get on with it, and we have to support the team, however difficult it may be. Hopefully if we can get a good start the players and fans can relax a bit and play at what I regard as Charlton's level, which I think is outside the top 10 at the end of the season, but not in the bottom pack ( at least I hope not)
That probably means Powell does not expect them to make a huge impact immediately - but they will have that hunger to succeed.
And gives the time and opportunity to mould them the SCP way.
In my heart I want us to win today and against Leicester on Tuesday, but if we lose both maybe the board might sign some better players?
Win/lose or draw today we need to add to the squad there is no doubting it.
A good time to play them as long as we can subdue them for first half an hour or so.
I think fewer teams will try and shut up shop against us as we're no longer the big fish in a small pond so maybe more open football anyway. Hopefully our defence keep up their good record.
all in all would have taken a draw from the off just shame 2pts points were stolen from us at the end.