As others have said, great pro, 110% in the shirt and was integral to getting us up and then almost keeping us up last season.
Very important player doing things that we as fans might not notice. I wish him well and hope he finds a club that can accommodate him regularly.
Taking a pragmatic stance, definitely the right decision for me. I get the argument that had Watson not triggered a contract extension there may have been a role for him. However, on a personal level, I didn’t really want either to be in the playing squad next season. I wish Darren all the best and thank him for his time.
His presence on the pitch for the play offs was pivotal in our promotion a proper man and one who will always hold a special place in my Addick heart . Good luck Pratley , bloke
Leaves with a massive a round of applause from my seat. His 3 years have not been the greatest in our history. BUT, could have been even worse without him.
A model pro,not always the greatest on the ball,but left nothing on the pitch,I thought there might have been a place for him for another year as he certainly didnt lack fitness,and you do need his kind of experience at this level.Not to be,I wish him all the best and heartfelt thanks for the effort he put in for our club.
Think he’s been a good servant, would much rather retain him than Watson tbh
Absolutely this with bells on , gutted he's gone to be honest, if Watson replicates this season, we could be stuck in league one longer than TS would like.
Watson has to improve big time for our performances to take an uptick, unless he's going to be sitting on the bench.
Maybe a proper preseason will see an improvement in his performances?
Think he’s been a good servant, would much rather retain him than Watson tbh
Absolutely this with bells on , gutted he's gone to be honest, if Watson replicates this season, we could be stuck in league one longer than TS would like.
Watson has to improve big time for our performances to take an uptick, unless he's going to be sitting on the bench.
Maybe a proper preseason will see an improvement in his performances?
I would be very surprised if Watson is anything more than a bit part player next season. If he is, it will have been a failure of recruitment or due to injuries to others. We must hope he can be as positive an influence around the training ground as a backup player as I suspect Pratley would have been.
But there comes a time when you can't keep giving players another year, just because they've been good servants. Maybe the playing budget isn't going to be as big as some might have thought and some trimming needs to happen before new blood can be bought in.
On balance, it's probably time for DP to move on but it wouldn't be a surprise if he did really well for another club next season.
One of those players who you hate to play against, Pratley "old manned" teams with his cunning style of play. He would run through brickwalls for his team mates and always always gave it everything he had.
A true team man, thanks for your time at Charlton, Darren. Probably my favorite moment was when we were 1-0 down at Wembley, the team playing nervously, the ball was cleared out of our area to the half way line. A Sunderland player picked the ball up and started showboating. Pratley absolutely smashed into him, leaving him on the floor for several minutes. For me that was the turning point in the game, we settled down and started to play. Darren, you were a Charlton warrior.
Boycotting meant that I didn't see as much of Pratley as I'd have liked. Always gave his all, though I did sometimes think his antics crossed the line from 'professionalism' into 'silliness'. Nevertheless, I wish him all the best.
I'd rather have Pratley in the squad than Watson, as he can do a specific job if we want to go defensive/dirty. Pratley gets booked because he gets stuck in, Watson gets booked because he's lost half a yard and is late in his tackles.
Watson might be a better footballer, but we should have enough passing elsewhere in the squad anyway
Proper fighter and you need a few of those in your squad.
The home playoff semi vs Donny, hat a moment. Single handedly dragging us through in the final at Wembley, incredible. Then showing some real class in that 10 game run at the start of the championship. Some great memories!
Most if all his effective "game management" in the dying stages and all the tines he would up the opposition into losing their heads or kept the ref in line. Invaluable. The sort of player you hate to come up against which is a pretty high compliment.
A great club servant that deserves resect on his return. His shithousery antics used to have me grinning from ear to ear. To play that way was always going to wind up opponents and very often the ref. A Wiley old fox I think. Thanks for the feel good moments.
Looked at his best in a role limited to winning the ball and playing a simple pass to someone close to him. Looked at his worst when LB insisted on playing him as a general box-to-box midfielder, which could be very frustrating to watch. Not his fault, though.
Comments
Taking a pragmatic stance, definitely the right decision for me. I get the argument that had Watson not triggered a contract extension there may have been a role for him. However, on a personal level, I didn’t really want either to be in the playing squad next season. I wish Darren all the best and thank him for his time.
Good luck Pratley , bloke
Good luck.
Watson has to improve big time for our performances to take an uptick, unless he's going to be sitting on the bench.
Maybe a proper preseason will see an improvement in his performances?
I would be very surprised if Watson is anything more than a bit part player next season. If he is, it will have been a failure of recruitment or due to injuries to others. We must hope he can be as positive an influence around the training ground as a backup player as I suspect Pratley would have been.
But there comes a time when you can't keep giving players another year, just because they've been good servants. Maybe the playing budget isn't going to be as big as some might have thought and some trimming needs to happen before new blood can be bought in.
On balance, it's probably time for DP to move on but it wouldn't be a surprise if he did really well for another club next season.
Best of luck
Watson might be a better footballer, but we should have enough passing elsewhere in the squad anyway
Not the most technically gifted but every team needs a Pratley to break it up and get things moving.
Donny at home in play offs probably in my top 5 Valley moments and he was a huge part of that.
The home playoff semi vs Donny, hat a moment. Single handedly dragging us through in the final at Wembley, incredible. Then showing some real class in that 10 game run at the start of the championship. Some great memories!
Most if all his effective "game management" in the dying stages and all the tines he would up the opposition into losing their heads or kept the ref in line. Invaluable. The sort of player you hate to come up against which is a pretty high compliment.
Though in reality you are close.
Best of luck DP