I certainly think we need to inject 2 or 3 quality signings in January to have any chance of challenging for the play offs. Beyond that, I agree we are better advised to wait until the summer for a more comprehensive change in personnel. Even then I would not advocate the kind of wholesale re-shaping that got us promoted as League 1 champions. CP did a brilliant job in moulding all the new players into an effective team but I doubt that he could pull that trick off again at this level. Change out 2 or 3 in January and then the same again in the summer.
The players are clearly being directed to play in a particular style. Replace Kerkar with (I'm dreaming) Peter Wittingham and it may make only a marginal difference, because of the tactics being used.
Barnsley and Peterborough were both far better footballing sides at the Valley this year, yet both are in the relegation zone.
Collectively Powell must believe that the players are not good enough to play free flowing football. You can't confuse this with individual ability.
. Bring in BWP and give him a run in the team . I don't think he would do much worse than what we have right now. He was great last season and I feel he was dropped too early this season. No "dead wood 'in the squad for me , just a bit short on confidence.
One of the differances between last season and this was that if a player was left out of the team, he would come back fighting for a place and try his hardest to progress. This season, i havent seen it.
They dont seem so keen to get back on the pitch and playing again.
I guess being part of a wining team is infectious and you want to play all the time, but as we are not playing so great, they are not as keen to play in an adverage side!
We'll inevitably try and move the fringe players out if we can but no one in the Championship is going to be interested in taking them and there is very little money around in Leagues 1 and 2 for wages, let alone transfer fees. We might get a fee for BWP but, if I'm not mistaken, he's entering the last 6 months of his contract and so it would be a modest one. Someone might also take Clarke ( or rather his wages ) off our hands.
I do feel for Matt Taylor ( who's hardly kicked a ball this year and has slipped right down the pecking order ), but the sad fact of the matter is that some of our stalwarts from last year - including Jackson, Kermogant and Danny Hollands - have struggled at Championship level. Every division you go up gets faster in terms of the pace of the game, although I personally thought that Hollands would be able to cope.
My main hope for the January window is to hold onto Solly and Stephens. It will also be very important to retain Hulse on some basis and good to move a few players on ( most likely on loan ). Anything else would be a bonus, although I expect we'll borrow another central midfielder if Frimpong goes back on 1 January.
Dead wood is an expression I'd associate with two relegations in 3 years costing our club an absolute fortune with the signing on fees and sheer turnover in players... Let's see what happens in the next window with some additions and perhaps a big money departure? Will we take QPR or Villa Millions??? Some players will not be renewed in the summer or maybe sold but that's a long way off...
In the meantime get behind the team and manager... or have we learnt nothing from the rise and fall of CAFC in the last 20 years??? Sounds a bit tetchy / negative and, to be fair, in the recent Cardiff and Millwall games the fans have been 100%
Mid-table has to be the aim for this season with a push for the play offs next season once we have a squad with more experience and ability and perhaps some of the U21s coming through... that was the plan that Mr Slater stated a long while back and I've seen nothing to doubt that this is still the case...
Interesting comments. I suppose I could just have said if we don't get players in or ship any out do you think that after a creditable consolidation this season that this current squad will take us forward. I suspect the answer from most will be no. That was the thrust of my original post. Nothing about being insulting or disloyal to champions, just about what we need to do to move forward. This message board is now such a difficult place to post on without snide comments and point scoring. I will not bother in future.
I know what you mean SHG. They don't all have to be replaced at once, but I agree if we're aiming to be a top half team none of those are going to be regulars in the team - unless we see a big improvement in any of the younger players.
Shame Yann hasn't convinced after last season when he looked our best player. As long as he keeps himself fit I think he's done enough to show he's a useful squad player at this level.
I'd be looking to keep Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Wiggins, Wilson and Stephens as first choice players. Improve on Cort (as good a job as he has done), a powerful energetic CM, a playmaker on the left and a 2/3 better strikers. Our midfield is the main problem, we need more pace & energy and players that can carry the ball and pick a pass.
Interesting comments. I suppose I could just have said if we don't get players in or ship any out do you think that after a creditable consolidation this season that this current squad will take us forward. I suspect the answer from most will be no. That was the thrust of my original post. Nothing about being insulting or disloyal to champions, just about what we need to do to move forward. This message board is now such a difficult place to post on without snide comments and point scoring. I will not bother in future.
Can't help but agree with you, the self-appointed thought police on here would have been ideal recruits for Doctor Goebels Ministry.
Interesting comments. I suppose I could just have said if we don't get players in or ship any out do you think that after a creditable consolidation this season that this current squad will take us forward. I suspect the answer from most will be no. That was the thrust of my original post. Nothing about being insulting or disloyal to champions, just about what we need to do to move forward. This message board is now such a difficult place to post on without snide comments and point scoring. I will not bother in future.
Excellent post Shooters AND KEEP POSTING. Most of us on here can tell you have empathy/compassion for the players who got us up. People will always beg to differ, and some take umbrage. The sad truth is that professional football is a "cut-throat" business. The players are rewarded handsomely, and a downside is that sometimes they are "moved on" regardless or not of whether it's fair or suits them. As fans we won't forget them. In particular for me, Hollands, who gave his all for us, and played some of the promotion season injured. For the record, my thoughts on who should/should not be retained. Sullivan (not good enough), Taylor (too slow), Wagstaff ( not done/good enough), Clarke (not in manager's plans), Hughes (not good enough), Kerkar (not good enough). I would keep one of BWP or Kerm. I would keep Haynes, unless he keeps sustaining injuries. Jackson till the end of the season. Green is an enigma. I think he has the ability to play at this level.
Interesting comments. I suppose I could just have said if we don't get players in or ship any out do you think that after a creditable consolidation this season that this current squad will take us forward. I suspect the answer from most will be no. That was the thrust of my original post. Nothing about being insulting or disloyal to champions, just about what we need to do to move forward. This message board is now such a difficult place to post on without snide comments and point scoring. I will not bother in future.
DLTBGYD (dont let the buggers get you down) .. Keep Posting
We do have a lot of Man Booker literary prize candidates on here don't we?
Analyse to the nth degree the semantics of the use of the word "deadwood" yet, if we are being picky about Use of English, post, without a trace of irony, how we could OF won had we played 4-4-2 or complain that we WHERE not very good.
It is obvious to anybody with more brain cells than a plant that SHG was seeking to instigate a debate as to which of our current players can push us onto a higher level and which cannot.
Why not respond accordingly?
For the record I think the back 5 is ok and the strikers will score with a decent service which neatly leads to the nub of the problem, midfield.
We desperately need a Scotty Parker type (maybe Pritchard can do the job if he continues to develop), pace on the flanks and a creative player who turns up for 90 rather than 45 minutes.
SHG your shoulders are broad enough to ignore the tossers who get their kicks from insults and spoiling debates.
Chris Powell is, of course, Son of Curbs .......which means he is deploying safety first tactics to get to 50 points or whatever the safety target is this season.
He will be disappointed that he wasn't allowed to sign his agreed target players last summer to upgrade the squad and continue with the momentum of a successful team.
He'll be totally aware that midfield is the problem area of the team - and the part that needs immediate surgery.
He knows, after his chat with Gus Poyet earlier this season, that undue loyalty to the squad can be a mistake - but also that he has a bunch of lads that work hard together on and off the pitch.
Despite our mixed results, team spirit is still king at Charlton. He'll appreciate that is a most precious commodity at any level and must not be compromised.
Certain players may be traded or let go - some are advocating letting go of Hughes for instance, but you can't release or transfer an injured player under contract.
And CP himself says how he appreciates Hughes contribution in and around the squad, supports the lads in the dressing room by attending each and every fixture - and plays a key part in maintaining team spirit. How do you put a value on that?
Interesting comments. I suppose I could just have said if we don't get players in or ship any out do you think that after a creditable consolidation this season that this current squad will take us forward. I suspect the answer from most will be no. That was the thrust of my original post. Nothing about being insulting or disloyal to champions, just about what we need to do to move forward. This message board is now such a difficult place to post on without snide comments and point scoring. I will not bother in future.
DLTBGYD (dont let the buggers get you down) .. Keep Posting
Agree totally, I don't post much but your post was well thought out and no way disrespectful. I see that Henry geezer picking on many posts so just ignore him mate.
Back on topic I think our main problem/weakness is a lack of pace in midfield and we need at least one speedy winger which would provide us with an outlet. Jackson needs to convert to CM or he will have to move on imo.
Good post SHG. I am sure if you had spent more time trying to word it so as not to offend anyone it would have been as flowery as a day out at Kew Gardens. But hey, you cant please everyone all the time.
Totally agree with cs1986 midfield is the problem. Yes we need a speedy winger but he also needs to be a it of a tackler and give cover to Wiggins. Jackson could be accomodated in CM. Wilson on the right and a pacey, combative partner for JJ. Trouble is after the loans and preparation for the takeover the cash box is empty. If the Investment/Takeover doesn't happen till March will TJ fund a splash out or will he let SCP have any cash from the sale of Stephens. As for releasing 'Champions' Hollands Clarke already gone with probably B.W.P. Sullivan Taylor Wagstaff and possibably Green going out
At the start on Sat we kept it quick and slick especially down the right and it was working. There were occasional glimpses of that even in the second half, late on when Green combined with Solly and the latter's cross was nodded back by Yann for Danny Haynes.
I don't like the expression dead wood. the problem is the switch to a "default long ball setting" which neutralises the talents of our best players. That problem has haunted us for a while. Our best performance was at Blackpool when we kept it at feet and totally controlled the game. So i' m sorry but another wholesale change of personnel is not the answer. In my opinion the squad we have is better than average at this level
Apart from the quality of the oppo, the other main difference from last season is the lack of a settled first choice team. I don't know our best starting line up and I don't reckon SCP does either. So let's give him the time to work it all out while we are not exactly in a relegation fight.
We do have a lot of Man Booker literary prize candidates on here don't we? SHG your shoulders are broad enough to ignore the tossers who get their kicks from insults and spoiling debates.
wtf! Is that Christmas irony ?
Stephens, Pritchard and Frimpong may all evolve into part of a top half squad next season... Jackson only good in the middle or maybe part of a 5? let's see where this one goes and who comes in before writing off any of the forwards (or the rest of the squad) I won't dig anyone out as other threads have made it clear certain players won't be wearing a Charlton shirt again in a hurry.
Come February 1 2013 we will have a better idea of the team with injured players coming back and the money behind the club. Somehow I doubt that there will be big name permanent signings to plug the gaps and push on... but that's all the more reason to maintain 100% support...
Looking forward to the second half of the season kicking off 1pm and hoping we can maintain the same progress made in the 90s when a few players were let go every summer and the new signings added to the squad each year.
Quality out wide, left and right, in midfield would be a major plus. It seems that all the teams looking good in the championship this year are blessed in these area. With pace to burn of course. A ball playing central defender who is confident at bringing the ball out of defense and capable of passing short, medium and long would be a plus to.
Comments
Barnsley and Peterborough were both far better footballing sides at the Valley this year, yet both are in the relegation zone.
Collectively Powell must believe that the players are not good enough to play free flowing football. You can't confuse this with individual ability.
They dont seem so keen to get back on the pitch and playing again.
I guess being part of a wining team is infectious and you want to play all the time, but as we are not playing so great, they are not as keen to play in an adverage side!
I do feel for Matt Taylor ( who's hardly kicked a ball this year and has slipped right down the pecking order ), but the sad fact of the matter is that some of our stalwarts from last year - including Jackson, Kermogant and Danny Hollands - have struggled at Championship level. Every division you go up gets faster in terms of the pace of the game, although I personally thought that Hollands would be able to cope.
My main hope for the January window is to hold onto Solly and Stephens. It will also be very important to retain Hulse on some basis and good to move a few players on ( most likely on loan ). Anything else would be a bonus, although I expect we'll borrow another central midfielder if Frimpong goes back on 1 January.
In: CM x2, LM, Striker, Hulse loan extened.
Let's see what happens in the next window with some additions and perhaps a big money departure? Will we take QPR or Villa Millions??? Some players will not be renewed in the summer or maybe sold but that's a long way off...
In the meantime get behind the team and manager... or have we learnt nothing from the rise and fall of CAFC in the last 20 years??? Sounds a bit tetchy / negative and, to be fair, in the recent Cardiff and Millwall games the fans have been 100%
Mid-table has to be the aim for this season with a push for the play offs next season once we have a squad with more experience and ability and perhaps some of the U21s coming through... that was the plan that Mr Slater stated a long while back and I've seen nothing to doubt that this is still the case...
Or keep the deadwood and get relegated anyway as good old loyal Charlton....
Shame Yann hasn't convinced after last season when he looked our best player. As long as he keeps himself fit I think he's done enough to show he's a useful squad player at this level.
I'd be looking to keep Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Wiggins, Wilson and Stephens as first choice players. Improve on Cort (as good a job as he has done), a powerful energetic CM, a playmaker on the left and a 2/3 better strikers. Our midfield is the main problem, we need more pace & energy and players that can carry the ball and pick a pass.
Happy Christmas
Agree with Henry's point to be honest.
Merry Xmas Len
Analyse to the nth degree the semantics of the use of the word "deadwood" yet, if we are being picky about Use of English, post, without a trace of irony, how we could OF won had we played 4-4-2 or complain that we WHERE not very good.
It is obvious to anybody with more brain cells than a plant that SHG was seeking to instigate a debate as to which of our current players can push us onto a higher level and which cannot.
Why not respond accordingly?
For the record I think the back 5 is ok and the strikers will score with a decent service which neatly leads to the nub of the problem, midfield.
We desperately need a Scotty Parker type (maybe Pritchard can do the job if he continues to develop), pace on the flanks and a creative player who turns up for 90 rather than 45 minutes.
SHG your shoulders are broad enough to ignore the tossers who get their kicks from insults and spoiling debates.
He will be disappointed that he wasn't allowed to sign his agreed target players last summer to upgrade the squad and continue with the momentum of a successful team.
He'll be totally aware that midfield is the problem area of the team - and the part that needs immediate surgery.
He knows, after his chat with Gus Poyet earlier this season, that undue loyalty to the squad can be a mistake - but also that he has a bunch of lads that work hard together on and off the pitch.
Despite our mixed results, team spirit is still king at Charlton.
He'll appreciate that is a most precious commodity at any level and must not be compromised.
Certain players may be traded or let go - some are advocating letting go of Hughes for instance, but you can't release or transfer an injured player under contract.
And CP himself says how he appreciates Hughes contribution in and around the squad, supports the lads in the dressing room by attending each and every fixture - and plays a key part in maintaining team spirit. How do you put a value on that?
Back on topic I think our main problem/weakness is a lack of pace in midfield and we need at least one speedy winger which would provide us with an outlet. Jackson needs to convert to CM or he will have to move on imo.
If the Investment/Takeover doesn't happen till March will TJ fund a splash out or
will he let SCP have any cash from the sale of Stephens.
As for releasing 'Champions' Hollands Clarke already gone with probably B.W.P. Sullivan Taylor Wagstaff and possibably Green going out
I don't like the expression dead wood. the problem is the switch to a "default long ball setting" which neutralises the talents of our best players. That problem has haunted us for a while. Our best performance was at Blackpool when we kept it at feet and totally controlled the game. So i' m sorry but another wholesale change of personnel is not the answer. In my opinion the squad we have is better than average at this level
Apart from the quality of the oppo, the other main difference from last season is the lack of a settled first choice team. I don't know our best starting line up and I don't reckon SCP does either. So let's give him the time to work it all out while we are not exactly in a relegation fight.
Stephens, Pritchard and Frimpong may all evolve into part of a top half squad next season... Jackson only good in the middle or maybe part of a 5? let's see where this one goes and who comes in before writing off any of the forwards (or the rest of the squad) I won't dig anyone out as other threads have made it clear certain players won't be wearing a Charlton shirt again in a hurry.
Come February 1 2013 we will have a better idea of the team with injured players coming back and the money behind the club. Somehow I doubt that there will be big name permanent signings to plug the gaps and push on... but that's all the more reason to maintain 100% support...
Looking forward to the second half of the season kicking off 1pm and hoping we can maintain the same progress made in the 90s when a few players were let go every summer and the new signings added to the squad each year.
A ball playing central defender who is confident at bringing the ball out of defense and capable of passing short, medium and long would be a plus to.