It's shaping up to be a really exciting window for us, first time in ages we look like we have an owner willing to back us. However players like Pratley show that for all the big money or 'glamour' signings you need players like him to make a team. Not all signings have to cost a lot of money, it's nice we hopefully have that option this year to spend some but I still hope we explore the free agent market as well.
Of all the signings we've made over recent years I reckon he was probably one of those I got least excited about, however 3 years later I think it's fair to say I'd consider him one of our best signings in the last few years. Always knew he'd give us all which as a fan is what you ask for.
Wonder what the odds are on him joining Bowyer's coaching staff at Birmingham.
Thanks to Darren for his 3 years of loyal service, sorry to see him go, but understandable. I also wish him well for the future, but now we need more agile and mobile players.
Think Darren was an excellent signing. One of the best, and one of the most effective signings of the late Duchatelet era.
I'd rather have him still in the squad than Gunter or Watson. Gunter and Watson seem to need others to cover their weaknesses, whilst Pratley still effectively covered for other players. I understand the financial logic of only keeping one of Watson and Pratley.
Players of different quality come and go but one thing I think all fans can agree on is that when you play for Charlton you play for the badge. Pratley had that in abundance, best of luck to him wherever it takes him.
Had some unbelievable moments in his 3 years with us and will be missed.
The influence and professionalism he shows carried through the whole group of players. He always gave 100% and proved he can play, when many were doubting.
Only got huge respect for Prats and wish him all the very best. As long as he finishes in the top 3 for those running stats, he’ll continue to play.
Good luck to him.
PS, George Lapslie will be praying he comes to Mansfield. If you know, you know
He has been a very good signing for us and always gave 100%. As others have said, that Doncaster play-off semi at home was particularly notable. Also he played a number of games at centre back when we were struggling with injuries.
But i think the timing is right for him to leave. If you buy in to the Bowyer philosophy of having 2 players for every position (which I do) I don't think you need two veterans in the form of Watson and Pratley. I feel the same about Matthews (not so much a veteran!) and Gunter. Would like younger players to come in and compete with Watson and Matthews for the defensive midfield and right-back positions.
Brilliant club servant. Still amazed how he stepped up his game for the championship. POTY for me last year (can't remember who won) - always gave his all.
Didn't really watch much of DP until he came our way, he must have been terrific in his hay day, because he certainly gave everything he had for us, good luck for the future Darren.
Thanks for everything, Darren. A player who always gave 100 per cent - a Charlton man through and through. Hope his memories of the Donny semi-final goal are as good as mine. All the best for the future and thanks for your kind words about everyone involved in the Charlton family.
When he was effective he was really effective. I loved seeing him nick the ball from opponents in midfield and also win free kicks by using his strength to shield the ball. Always gave 100% and I hope we can say the same of whoever replaces him.
Will always respect a player that gives their all when they pull on the shirt and Pratley did that every time. He never hid and never gave up. I thank him for his dedication and wish him all the best for the future.
Good pro but glad he is leaving. Having him in the side just meant the passing was always slow & stodgy and not what you need in a newly energised team.
2 stand out moments for me were the Donny goal & him shackling the MK Dons midfielder.
A sign of his quality if that he spent 5 years at Swansea under Roberto Martinez, Paulo Sousa and Brendan Rodgers, when they were a proper passing team. I imagine he did the "ugly" stuff for them, but you don't get to play in such a side if you're just a clogger
You can see he's a great pro and a top team-mate. Clearly he has the respect of everyone at the club and that says a lot, I think he'll be missed in the dressing room next season.
He really stood up in the Championship season when everything else was crumbling and along with the goal against Donny i'll always have a soft spot for him
On the pitch his hard work, tenacity, leadership and game management have been as important and his passing was annoying but he was top class at what he did.
All the best Pratters x
Thought he might have been kept on as a coach/mentor for the youngsters. Hope he gets a deal somewhere else.
shame Watson triggered his contract extension otherwise I'm sure Pratley would have got another year but we certainly don't need both.
Has been a good servant, always gave his all and scored that crucial goal v Doncaster. Wish him all the best, I'm sure he can find a League One club if he continues playing.
This goal gets me going just as much as Bauer's at Wembley. They go hand in hand.
Great to see such great tone in this thread.
Let me lower it then - goodbye, good luck and good ri.....!
Only joking - Darren never gave less than 100% when he wore the shirt, and above all was a team player. As fans, we can never ask for more than that. His part in the promotion, the play-offs and especially the second leg against Donnie on a night none of us who were there will ever forget.
Best wishes Prats and hope to see you back at The Valley one day.
Lots of focus on his goal against Donny, as there should be, but I think he was just as important in the final against Sunderland. Right after the bad thing we were a bit all over the place and we nearly conceded again straight after. It was Pratley who took control of the team after that, putting in a few hefty challenges, slowing things down and constantly talking to get the team to settle. It worked, and after we woke up and started playing again I never really felt like we'd lose (unless it went to penalties). He was absolutely huge in that game for the way he used his experience to get us back in the mix.
Always gave 100% and got stuck in when he could have shyed away especially at his stage of career and seemed committed to the cause. A good role model in that respect for younger players.
Comments
Of all the signings we've made over recent years I reckon he was probably one of those I got least excited about, however 3 years later I think it's fair to say I'd consider him one of our best signings in the last few years. Always knew he'd give us all which as a fan is what you ask for.
Wonder what the odds are on him joining Bowyer's coaching staff at Birmingham.
I hope this is an insight into the type of football we'll be looking to play next season.
https://twitter.com/Plenty_of_Shots/status/1392784279575437318?s=20
I'd rather have him still in the squad than Gunter or Watson. Gunter and Watson seem to need others to cover their weaknesses, whilst Pratley still effectively covered for other players. I understand the financial logic of only keeping one of Watson and Pratley.
The influence and professionalism he shows carried through the whole group of players. He always gave 100% and proved he can play, when many were doubting.
Only got huge respect for Prats and wish him all the very best. As long as he finishes in the top 3 for those running stats, he’ll continue to play.
Good luck to him.
PS, George Lapslie will be praying he comes to Mansfield. If you know, you know
But i think the timing is right for him to leave. If you buy in to the Bowyer philosophy of having 2 players for every position (which I do) I don't think you need two veterans in the form of Watson and Pratley. I feel the same about Matthews (not so much a veteran!) and Gunter. Would like younger players to come in and compete with Watson and Matthews for the defensive midfield and right-back positions.
Best of luck for the future.
Great to see such great tone in this thread.
All the best for the future and thanks for your kind words about everyone involved in the Charlton family.
2 stand out moments for me were the Donny goal & him shackling the MK Dons midfielder.
100 appearances......wow.
shame Watson triggered his contract extension otherwise I'm sure Pratley would have got another year but we certainly don't need both.
Has been a good servant, always gave his all and scored that crucial goal v Doncaster. Wish him all the best, I'm sure he can find a League One club if he continues playing.
Good luck DP and thank you.
Only joking - Darren never gave less than 100% when he wore the shirt, and above all was a team player. As fans, we can never ask for more than that. His part in the promotion, the play-offs and especially the second leg against Donnie on a night none of us who were there will ever forget.
Best wishes Prats and hope to see you back at The Valley one day.
Best thing he would do is score against Donny....one of my favourite moments in football personally.
Good luck Darren.