OK - enough of the doom and gloom, Star Trek puns and the like.
Dobson and Clare improve the squad - Stockley now OUR player - Famewo back and possibly a permanent future player for us - Clayden and Barker look like they can step up - Morgan will finally get the chance to prove what a very good player he is - Elerewe looks a talent - Henry and probably a few others from the academy could add something as well. There is nothing wrong with youth coming through at this level, and NA/SG see them on the training ground everyday - maybe they are looking elsewhere and not seeing anything that would add more than some of the academy boys. 'You can't win anything with kids' - yes, thank you Alan - that aged well.
I also expect at least two perms (maybe this week) and 3 or 4 loans before the window closes.
This is a f*cking pub league - we have the players to help us escape.
I know it's the hope that kills but I genuinely feel that we will be key challengers for the automatics and nailed on for the play-offs. Adkins is the right man, I'm convinced of that - and a full season of him in charge will give him the chance to prove that.
The last time we got promoted, we started the first game of the season with a midfield of Mark Marshall, George Lapslie and Darren Pratley. We were unable to fill the bench.
Yes, the front three of Taylor Grant Aribo all turned out to be excellent players but little was expected of Grant and Aribo before a ball was kicked.
Stockley will bag the goals, DJ and Albie will have breakout seasons and Conor Washington is no mug at this level.
It’s gonna be a good season for our lads. Believe.
There is always a pathway to the first team for a young player at Charlton. More than most clubs. It is basically to play well enough to get into the first team. It isn't to get put in the team because there is nobody else available.
There is always a pathway to the first team for a young player at Charlton. More than most clubs. It is basically to play well enough to get into the first team. It isn't to get put in the team because there is nobody else available.
Spot on. Dempsey, Vennings and Davidson in the Championship and Grant at 17 in the championship. Injuries caused those situations but we were skinny on numbers.
No recognised left back No recognised left midfieldee Two centre forwards
We are a couple of injuries from bare bones
I'm not expecting us to spend millions but fuck me, we'll end up staying in this pub division at this rate.
Shame the transfer window is shut, hey
I honestly give up with some.
as a smart young man born at Farnborough Hospital once said, ‘the worst thing about supporting Charlton, is other Charlton supporters’, and this summer has fired my patience to its limits
Charlton are going to rely on their younger players because that is the argument to make the better kids sign for Cafc in the first place. If they don't see a route through to the first team we will lose out on even more talented youngsters. Catch 22 for Cafc as we need the journey men players as well and the 21-24 age group who may be next Vardy, Holt or Lambert,(Ajose normally) So difficult for Steve Gallen
In the last 30 years you can probably count on one hand the number of kids that have had to leave Charlton because they didn't get a chance. Some left because they weren't good enough for where we are and we passed them on the way down.
I think that's a ridiculous argument to not sign players, if it's true, or you think it's true.
What is true is how difficult it is to hold on to the top talent in the younger age group. We held on to Joe Gomez but couldn't with Casey Palmer and this is still happening in the younger groups which you won't even hear about unless you are a parent, guardian or work in youth academies or do the rounds of youth football. I mean the 12 and 13 year olds that we want to possibly play in our first team at 17 or 18 like Joe and Ademola Lookman. They may not progress to men's football but Cafc are trying to nurture them and hope they mature to the first team. We are working so hard to keep this young talent at Charlton. Lookman only joined Cafc from Waterloo fc at 16 instead of a couple of other offers he had because his representatives were told if he did well over the next 18 months he would be given a chance to progress. Lots of ifs and buts, but this really is Charlton USP when parents bring their kids to potentially join Cafc. Football clubs are dream sellers; All of them not just Cafc. Lookman in Cafc 1st team at 18 and an Everton player sold for 8 million and potential 3 million add-ons. From Waterloo in the Tandridge youth league at 16 to Premier League at 19, that's what you call fast track !
You win nothing with kids but you need 3 or 4 to give you legs ! Just ask JJ and Watson what happens when your legs go.
I am not disputing any of that, if they are good enough they will play. Unless you want us to turn in to a south east London version of Crewe?
Do you honestly think players leave us because they can't see away into the first team? Did Casey Palmer, an example you used, leave us because he saw a path way to first team football at Chelsea, that he didn't see at Charlton?
Yes our top talent leaves, but it doesn't leave because there is no path to the first team. They leave because of two reasons, well actually 3, money, they think they will get better coaching and international exposure at a "bigger club" or lastly they don't get on with the staff, for what ever reason.
When was the last time we blocked a young player from the 1st team? That was good enough?
Your view @Rothko that the transfer window doesn’t close for another few weeks is of course 100% correct and valid, that’s a fact.
But equally a view that our squad is as incomplete as it currently stands starting the season is of course subjective, but I really don’t see how anyone can put up a strong argument against it.
Wrong as Ronnie Moore is, surprise, surprise, Mumford had a more impressive playing career than Roddy.
But Mumford went into sales and Roddy into coaching.
TS has said it's a four person recruitment team, TS, SG, NA and GR.
Gallen for me is a proven successful recruiter, Roddy not proven but we don't know what he does or doesn't contribute.
I suspect Gallen takes the lead and does all the hard yards and the others contribute based on what Adkins wants
It’s also plausible that NA as a more experienced manager is saying no to some options (for now) being put forward and happy to trust the wider squad when in previous years we might have taken what we can get.
The last time we got promoted, we started the first game of the season with a midfield of Mark Marshall, George Lapslie and Darren Pratley. We were unable to fill the bench.
Yes, the front three of Taylor Grant Aribo all turned out to be excellent players but little was expected of Grant and Aribo before a ball was kicked.
Stockley will bag the goals, DJ and Albie will have breakout seasons and Conor Washington is no mug at this level.
It’s gonna be a good season for our lads. Believe.
Your view @Rothko that the transfer window doesn’t close for another few weeks is of course 100% correct and valid, that’s a fact.
But equally a view that our squad is as incomplete as it currently stands starting the season is of course subjective, but I really don’t see how anyone can put up a strong argument against it.
I don’t think it’s black and white. Both can be true, and are true for the majority of clubs in this league. From that point, it’s just whether you’re glass half full or half empty.
Charlton are going to rely on their younger players because that is the argument to make the better kids sign for Cafc in the first place. If they don't see a route through to the first team we will lose out on even more talented youngsters. Catch 22 for Cafc as we need the journey men players as well and the 21-24 age group who may be next Vardy, Holt or Lambert,(Ajose normally) So difficult for Steve Gallen
In the last 30 years you can probably count on one hand the number of kids that have had to leave Charlton because they didn't get a chance. Some left because they weren't good enough for where we are and we passed them on the way down.
I think that's a ridiculous argument to not sign players, if it's true, or you think it's true.
What is true is how difficult it is to hold on to the top talent in the younger age group. We held on to Joe Gomez but couldn't with Casey Palmer and this is still happening in the younger groups which you won't even hear about unless you are a parent, guardian or work in youth academies or do the rounds of youth football. I mean the 12 and 13 year olds that we want to possibly play in our first team at 17 or 18 like Joe and Ademola Lookman. They may not progress to men's football but Cafc are trying to nurture them and hope they mature to the first team. We are working so hard to keep this young talent at Charlton. Lookman only joined Cafc from Waterloo fc at 16 instead of a couple of other offers he had because his representatives were told if he did well over the next 18 months he would be given a chance to progress. Lots of ifs and buts, but this really is Charlton USP when parents bring their kids to potentially join Cafc. Football clubs are dream sellers; All of them not just Cafc. Lookman in Cafc 1st team at 18 and an Everton player sold for 8 million and potential 3 million add-ons. From Waterloo in the Tandridge youth league at 16 to Premier League at 19, that's what you call fast track !
You win nothing with kids but you need 3 or 4 to give you legs ! Just ask JJ and Watson what happens when your legs go.
I am not disputing any of that, if they are good enough they will play. Unless you want us to turn in to a south east London version of Crewe?
Do you honestly think players leave us because they can't see away into the first team? Did Casey Palmer, an example you used, leave us because he saw a path way to first team football at Chelsea, that he didn't see at Charlton?
Yes our top talent leaves, but it doesn't leave because there is no path to the first team. They leave because of two reasons, well actually 3, money, they think they will get better coaching and international exposure at a "bigger club" or lastly they don't get on with the staff, for what ever reason.
When was the last time we blocked a young player from the 1st team? That was good enough?
Poyet left us to be a reserve when it could be argued he would have been the first name on our team sheet! I can't think of any blockages since then. If they play well enough they will get a chance.
Your view @Rothko that the transfer window doesn’t close for another few weeks is of course 100% correct and valid, that’s a fact.
But equally a view that our squad is as incomplete as it currently stands starting the season is of course subjective, but I really don’t see how anyone can put up a strong argument against it.
Your view @Rothko that the transfer window doesn’t close for another few weeks is of course 100% correct and valid, that’s a fact.
But equally a view that our squad is as incomplete as it currently stands starting the season is of course subjective, but I really don’t see how anyone can put up a strong argument against it.
Has anyone said our squad is complete?
I certainly haven’t, I’m just confident that with the remaining weeks of the window the squad will be improved on.
Your view @Rothko that the transfer window doesn’t close for another few weeks is of course 100% correct and valid, that’s a fact.
But equally a view that our squad is as incomplete as it currently stands starting the season is of course subjective, but I really don’t see how anyone can put up a strong argument against it.
Has anyone said our squad is complete?
I certainly haven’t, I’m just confident that with the remaining weeks of the window the squad will be improved on.
Exactly, the divide is obviously between those that know our squad is not complete and don't think we will improve it and those that know our squad is not complete and are confident we will improve it.
I haven't seen a single person say what we have is good enough.
Your view @Rothko that the transfer window doesn’t close for another few weeks is of course 100% correct and valid, that’s a fact.
But equally a view that our squad is as incomplete as it currently stands starting the season is of course subjective, but I really don’t see how anyone can put up a strong argument against it.
I don’t think it’s black and white. Both can be true, and are true for the majority of clubs in this league. From that point, it’s just whether you’re glass half full or half empty.
I think most if not all of us were hoping that we’d have a squad that puts us ahead of the pack. Maybe not every team but the vast majority. There is of course still time but as of the first game of the season our squad is insufficient and we still need to recruit a minimum of five players, in my view seven. We’re leaving it late. I trust the management team but there is no argument we’re leaving it late. We’re in a pack of eight or nine clubs and that’s not exactly how I expected things to pan out. It is what it is.
And if we are talking about the pathway to the first team being a major attraction in attracting kids to our academy, it's worth noting that none of AMB, Clayden, Ghandour, Barker, Harness and Davison are really academy products, as all were signed when 16 or over.
Your view @Rothko that the transfer window doesn’t close for another few weeks is of course 100% correct and valid, that’s a fact.
But equally a view that our squad is as incomplete as it currently stands starting the season is of course subjective, but I really don’t see how anyone can put up a strong argument against it.
Has anyone said our squad is complete?
To be fair I'm sick of people being called "bed wetters" whenever they raise the fact the squad isn't strong enough. It's not first day of pre-season in 2 days time, it's first game. We're in a far from ideal situation right now. Equally, I accept there are other clubs in the same boat, we are no doubt trying to strengthen and it's pointless going through the same shit every day.
The pessimists moan about squad depth, the optimists remind everyone the window is still open and there's a load of bollocks between the two parties in the meantime. I can't bloody wait until the window is closed that's for sure.
And if we are talking about the pathway to the first team being a major attraction in attracting kids to our academy, it's worth noting that none of AMB, Clayden, Ghandour, Barker, Harness and Davison are really academy products, as all were signed when 16 or over.
Yes but Charlton fans like to claim them they count as academy players, unless their name is Jermaine Defoe.
always makes me laugh when people say this is a pub league - its the 3rd best division in England !!! A good number of the clubs in it could, and probably will swop places with a good number of those currently in the premier league within the next 5 - 10 years - half the division will probably swop places with those in the championship - i think there is a much bigger gap between the prem and the champ than league 1 and the champ
Two or three of the right players could make a massive difference. It can still happen, wherever those players come from. There were weaknesses in the team/squad at the start of last season and the team is probably a bit stronger and bench weaker. But no way we should be going overboard about our chances as we are now, even if we start ok. We should of course be willing to revise that assessment positively as appropriate as it isn't too late to address shortcomings in the squad.
Because other clubs have incomplete squads that's ok is it?
I want us to WIN this league so I want us to have the best squad.
Currently we don't.
I genuinely don't care about other clubs. Our owner made strong comments at the end of last season and I trust him and are glad we have him.
But we don't have a fit left back and NO left midfielder.
Totally unbalanced. I'm not saying our squad should be finished by now but come on now. We've needed both these positions in cover and first choice since our last two loanees in those positions left!
Comments
But Mumford went into sales and Roddy into coaching.
TS has said it's a four person recruitment team, TS, SG, NA and GR.
Gallen for me is a proven successful recruiter, Roddy not proven but we don't know what he does or doesn't contribute.
I suspect Gallen takes the lead and does all the hard yards and the others contribute based on what Adkins wants
The last time we got promoted, we started the first game of the season with a midfield of Mark Marshall, George Lapslie and Darren Pratley. We were unable to fill the bench.
Yes, the front three of Taylor Grant Aribo all turned out to be excellent players but little was expected of Grant and Aribo before a ball was kicked.
Stockley will bag the goals, DJ and Albie will have breakout seasons and Conor Washington is no mug at this level.
It’s gonna be a good season for our lads. Believe.
But two heads are better than one and many hands make light work v too many cooks spoil the broth
A stitch in time saves nine.
No recognised left midfieldee
Two centre forwards
We are a couple of injuries from bare bones
I'm not expecting us to spend millions but fuck me, we'll end up staying in this pub division at this rate.
Spot on.
Dempsey, Vennings and Davidson in the Championship and Grant at 17 in the championship. Injuries caused those situations but we were skinny on numbers.
It must be on merit
I honestly give up with some.
as a smart young man born at Farnborough Hospital once said, ‘the worst thing about supporting Charlton, is other Charlton supporters’, and this summer has fired my patience to its limits
Do you honestly think players leave us because they can't see away into the first team? Did Casey Palmer, an example you used, leave us because he saw a path way to first team football at Chelsea, that he didn't see at Charlton?
Yes our top talent leaves, but it doesn't leave because there is no path to the first team. They leave because of two reasons, well actually 3, money, they think they will get better coaching and international exposure at a "bigger club" or lastly they don't get on with the staff, for what ever reason.
When was the last time we blocked a young player from the 1st team? That was good enough?
Your view @Rothko that the transfer window doesn’t close for another few weeks is of course 100% correct and valid, that’s a fact.
But equally a view that our squad is as incomplete as it currently stands starting the season is of course subjective, but I really don’t see how anyone can put up a strong argument against it.
I haven't seen a single person say what we have is good enough.
The pessimists moan about squad depth, the optimists remind everyone the window is still open and there's a load of bollocks between the two parties in the meantime. I can't bloody wait until the window is closed that's for sure.
I want us to WIN this league so I want us to have the best squad.
Currently we don't.
I genuinely don't care about other clubs. Our owner made strong comments at the end of last season and I trust him and are glad we have him.
But we don't have a fit left back and NO left midfielder.
Totally unbalanced. I'm not saying our squad should be finished by now but come on now. We've needed both these positions in cover and first choice since our last two loanees in those positions left!