So all these kids then ?

Covered End

If we get a goalie in as our first choice (I think we will). Then I doubt there will be any "new kids" in the starting 11.
In fact with Poyet gone, we will have one less "kid", than last season.
Ok, so Gomez is pushing for inclusion (surely he would be anyway) and Harriot & Cousins are already there.

No opinion as such. Just an observation, that we thought the team could have a lot of youth, but now looks like it won't.

The overall age may be reducing, but "kids" ?

crookester

Too early to say really. People like Phillips, Piggott, Munns, Fox and Lennon have been involved with the first team squad thus far. We need to build a squad, which will be partly experienced players and partly youth. I don't think we know what Bob's first 11 will be yet, nor how that will change throughout the season.

Covered End

Agreed. But I don't expect to see the above playing in the league, apart from Fox, when Wiggins gets injured :-(

Oggy Red

I'm sure all Peeeters was saying, is if he thinks the kids are good enough they'll be blooded.
I doubt that means they'll be the bedrock of the team, just they'll be considered if they're ready.

Peeters' favourite catch phrase, "Young Guns" could easily be applied to the raft of early twenties players that have recently come in or were already here.

There's quite a few U24:

Pope, Solly, Fox, Lennon, Cousins, Harriot, Moussa, Gudmundssen, Vetokele, Tucon-Arizona (or whatever he's called) - plus Gomez and any other kid who has something to offer this season.

Covered End

I agree Oggy. But I think most of us were expecting, we'd have to be playing some much younger players, through necessity, not perhaps choice.

A few weeks ago, the starting 11, looked like it might include Pope, Gomez, Cousins and Harriot, with a squad including Fox, Lennon, Piggot & Nego.

Now it's looking like the only starter will be Cousins.

Oggy Red

My turn to agree, Covered End.

A successful Charlton side consisting largely of Academy products maturing into a defensively sound, attractive passing and explosive goalscoring team would be my ideal.

But back in the real world, we need to field the best and most balanced team that we have (not necessarily the 11 most talented) and if that's made up primarily of imports with a couple of home grown, then so be it.

Anyway, as long is their is a pathway to the 1st team for Academy players who are good enough, maybe that will suffice?

ISawLeaburnScore

Didn't Bob pretty much say that it was Gomez's position to lose yesterday post-match?

Covered End

ISawLeaburnScore said:

Didn't Bob pretty much say that it was Gomez's position to lose yesterday post-match?

Yes, something like that. Personally, I expect Morrison & Bikey to start in the league and Gomez to play in the league cup.

Henry Irving

it is an interesting point CE makes.

Playing lots of kids is often making a virtue out of a necessity.

Other times they are played as they are the just better than any older or more experienced players in the squad.

I wouldn't be surprised to see no academy players other than Solly and Cousins in the starting XI
Pope
Solly Bikey TBH Wiggins
Cousins Buyins Moussa
Vetokele Tuducan (sp?) Gudmunsen

Is a possible and IMHO likely team if we play 4 - 3- 3

Still a young side and plenty of room for Academy players on the bench

AddickUpNorth

As a famous pundit once said 'och aye da noo, ye'll never win wi' kids, y'ken!'.

sam3110

So far, from what I've seen on the stream and at Welling, I'd play

Pope
Solly Gomez Morrison Fox
Cousins Buyens
Wilson Jackson Harriott
Vetokele

Obviously Gudmundsson, Moussa, Ben Haim/Bikey a new GK and probably Wiggins will actually be in the starting XI at the start of the season, but I'd say the youngsters are going to get a lot of game time

Covered End

?