TS wants out, I’m convinced of that, not just because of today but because of the serious cost cutting going on that really does beggar belief. If any more cuts are made it will seriously affect our ability to function as a proper football club off the pitch.
Deadline day always seems to be an anti-climax for us. I know every club wants an extra player or two but for some reason we always, always seem to be 1 or 2 players short of an excellent window. This year is no different and whilst we've made some good signings it still feels like another couple of signings would have rounded the squad off and left it to Garner to go and prove his worth with a decent squad at his disposal.
A centre half would have been great given Inniss's known injury issues but we appear to have a lot of prospects in the youth team in defence and perhaps an injury will throw the door open to one of them. We have been there in the past where we have had to throw youngsters in at the deep end and it hasn't always worked out badly, so will just have to see how that goes. As others have pointed out its almost inevitable that Inniss picks up an injury at some point which leaves us relying on the two other centre backs not being injured or suspended.
Each to their own but I wouldn't have minded Bonne back, and I can't for the life of me understand the abuse he seems to attract from some quarters.
We signed him from non-league and played him in a division 3 steps above, and he did well enough to earn a move back there the following season. He isn't the complete player but we are a League One club so complete players are unlikely to be signing for us, especially when we seem to be operating with a budget and not throwing cash around (rightly or wrongly).
I think he did a perfectly reasonable job for us the first time and think he would have done a perfectly reasonable job for us again. He is certainly better than what nothing which is what we ultimately ended up with. As a Charlton fan I'm clearly bias but it does feel lots of very good forwards have moved to clubs that are comparable to us in terms of size and it does beg a question as to why we haven't been able to get any of them through the door.
Hearts are a huge club but surely we could have been in with a shout at Humphrys? Same again with Hibs and Mckirdy. And Jephcott going to League Two with Swindon really caught my eye as well, they are not known for throwing money about so surely he's not earning any more there than we could have offered him.
It can go one of two ways but I'm as worried about who has ended up staying as I am about who didn't come in. Mcg and JFC are clearly not part of the plans moving forward, and I'm not sure how beneficial it will be having them around the squad when it's clear they are unlikely to get a look in. I think both are decent players and probably should be getting in a League One squad somewhere, even if its not with us. I'm pleased DJ stayed as I think he adds something to us but will be interesting to see how he adapts to staying when it seems pretty clear we were ready to offload him.
Emotions are running high in some quarters about Sandgaard and understandably so. I think he is well intentioned but hasn't helped himself with a number of decisions and the bluster that seems to follow him round. All the talk of the black box and us streamlining our recruitment and we have essentially signed a number of players from Swindon who the manager happened to manage last year, along with a few others. They may of course end up being very good players and many have made good starts already, especially Wollacott.
But for all the talk of the black box etc we have yet again been caught with our pants down at the last minute. Nobody needed a black box to tell us where we needed to strengthen and ultimately we haven't done so. For all the talk and bluster about doing things better this window he has ended up having to put out what must have been a very embarrising statement at the end of this window admitting we've essentially fallen short and will now be scrambling around for free agents. Perhaps this might be a lesson that I think really needs to be learned that actually it is much better to quietly go about your work and get things done, rather than brag and bluster about things and then ultimately end up with egg on your face.
He did but we’ve signed a lot more who haven’t worked out. He was a bit of a one off, you won’t often find a player of his quality on a free in September.
I can’t remember a free agent signing outside the window since then who made anywhere near the impact he did.
Yep, and CBT was another, I remember when he signed on here, and it was meltdown like.
Anyway, we’ll see what happens, I’m with the likes of Valley Gary and Clem on this, decent team, good manager, who knows, I haven’t written the season off emotionally or to look like a football genius, off the back of tonight.
CBT wasn't someone we picked up in September after the window closed though. He was someone who joined on trial in preseason, and then signed a contract in mid August
Don't let facts get in the way of "everything will be OK if we all just believe enough". If we all do a pinky promise to belive, just a little bit more, before bed time a Yann will drop in our laps tomorrow.
TS wants out, I’m convinced of that, not just because of today but because of the serious cost cutting going on that really does beggar belief. If any more cuts are made it will seriously affect our ability to function as a proper football club off the pitch.
TS wants out, I’m convinced of that, not just because of today but because of the serious cost cutting going on that really does beggar belief. If any more cuts are made it will seriously affect our ability to function as a proper football club off the pitch.
we are getting asset stripped
No we're not.
I know people are disappointed, and rightly so, but we brought in a new manager and seven players who all seem like they could be good additions in this window. Did we come up short? Yes. But asset striping means selling off anything that can be sold. And we didn't sell, we bought.
I don't agree with the comments from Gallen about only wanting players who will improve the team, as in the case of the centre back position in particular, we need an extra body. Obviously it would be great to sign a CB better than our current 3, but we don't NEED that, we just need someone who can play the position when we have injuries and suspensions, which will happen.
That 4th choice loan player only NEEDS to be better than Ness and Elewere.
TS wants out, I’m convinced of that, not just because of today but because of the serious cost cutting going on that really does beggar belief. If any more cuts are made it will seriously affect our ability to function as a proper football club off the pitch.
we are getting asset stripped
No we're not.
I know people are disappointed, and rightly so, but we brought in a new manager and seven players who all seem like they could be good additions in this window. Did we come up short? Yes. But asset striping means selling off anything that can be sold. And we didn't sell, we bought.
We didn’t buy anyone (other than Garner and Marshall) but yeah asset stripping is way too far. We’ve kept hold of a few first team players we could get fees for and the likes of Leaburn/Henry.
TS wants out, I’m convinced of that, not just because of today but because of the serious cost cutting going on that really does beggar belief. If any more cuts are made it will seriously affect our ability to function as a proper football club off the pitch.
we are getting asset stripped
That isn’t what I’m saying at all is it? I’m talking of cutting operating costs to the bare, bare bones. It started with the likes of Mumford etc but has worked its way down the pyramid. It shows with TS, MS and Raelynn running the show. It’s a family affair and soon it’ll be just them and a barely functioning skeleton staff, plus burger boy of course.
I don't agree with the comments from Gallen about only wanting players who will improve the team, as in the case of the centre back position in particular, we need an extra body. Obviously it would be great to sign a CB better than our current 3, but we don't NEED that, we just need someone who can play the position when we have injuries and suspensions, which will happen.
That 4th choice loan player only NEEDS to be better than Ness and Elewere.
Thought exactly the same as I was listening. I think that applies at CB and up top to be honest.
I don’t even think the CB needs to be better than Deji. It’s just better if he’s getting game time elsewhere and our 4th choice CB is just a reserve. Although with Inniss it’s probably better to pick up someone who is essentially a 3rd choice option.
I don't agree with the comments from Gallen about only wanting players who will improve the team, as in the case of the centre back position in particular, we need an extra body. Obviously it would be great to sign a CB better than our current 3, but we don't NEED that, we just need someone who can play the position when we have injuries and suspensions, which will happen.
That 4th choice loan player only NEEDS to be better than Ness and Elewere.
I've not seen the video but trying to get in a CB more mobile and better on the ball than Inniss and Lavelle is a laudable aim. I don't think either suit the system that well.
Ness has looked pretty good to me so far, and I know he's highly regarded. Deji looks like a potentially quite good but still raw defender. If you'd told me midway through the summer that the two of them would be co-fourth choice I wouldn't have been that bothered by it really.
I'm still more concerned at fullback. Clayden looks good going forward but still raw positionally. Chin looks promising. But I don't think either are as ready as Ness and Deji.
The CB situation would be okay if we looked deeper at other positions, namely fullback and striker. As it stands, I think we're 2-3 light.
We NEED a centre half and centre forward, even if just on loan.
Bonne was a loan.
The money pit is empty. We face facts. Time for TS to just face reality. I really do think until the last month, we've done ever so well but we cannot get out of this division without speculating to accumulating.
Our threadbare squad of youth players and regulars can't cut it over 46 games. Not because they aren't good enough but that they simply aren't equipped to make it over 9 months.
TS wants out, I’m convinced of that, not just because of today but because of the serious cost cutting going on that really does beggar belief. If any more cuts are made it will seriously affect our ability to function as a proper football club off the pitch.
we are getting asset stripped
No we're not.
I know people are disappointed, and rightly so, but we brought in a new manager and seven players who all seem like they could be good additions in this window. Did we come up short? Yes. But asset striping means selling off anything that can be sold. And we didn't sell, we bought.
We didn’t buy anyone (other than Garner and Marshall) but yeah asset stripping is way too far. We’ve kept hold of a few first team players we could get fees for and the likes of Leaburn/Henry.
Sorry I meant buy in the business sense, as in we're acquiring assets. Right we didn't buy anyone with a fee this summer. But we still have quite a few on the books who cost a fee, especially for this level (Aneke, Lavelle, Stockley, Clare, JFC though Pre-TS, Gilbey pre-TS and on loan, DJ, Kirk, Fraser).
When did the Transfer Window business judged by fans/pundits/media become the definition of a successful season rather than what is actually happening on the pitch? See social media fans celebrating what a great transfer window club has had..... After 5 games said team has 4 points
Good start to a season totally wasted by not adding just another couple of players.
Now watch Stockley or O'Connell get injured on Saturday, leaving us short of players where it's most needed.
And yes, I will laugh when this happens because we have all seen the writing on the wall but the club have done nothing to plug the gaps. You just can't help some people & Sandgaard will see on a weekly basis his "investment" reduce in value as our quest for promotion hits the buffers once again. He ain't getting out with a profit, just like RD. So he cuts costs to the extent that you wonder if he actually has a brain, let alone a business one.
Really seriously thinking about not going much more. Total waste of money.. I have a ST for this season but it may well be my last. Not just footballing reasons but all will become clearer in time.
The CB free agents market looks quite bleak. Guessing we'll end up with Thomas or the glorious return of a 35 year old Martin Crainie.
Gary Cahill and Michael Hector are available at the upper end of the market - would be interesting to see if we can tempt them for a year of thrills down at the valley if no one else wants them.
Been out all day and just catching up. No matter what way you try and spin it, we've fucked up. We're no way near promotion ready. We're undercooked. Disappointing.
As @Airman Brown pointed out weeks ago, only time would tell on Sandgaard - but I think the transfer window and our previous business in the market now tells you exactly what Sandgaard is doing, he wants to turn tap water into fine wine.
Nice idea Thomas, but I think you'll find that virtually every other Chairman in the country wants to do that but long ago realized that with the very, very rare exception, it doesn't work.
With the squad that he has been allowed Garner will be doing reasonably well to get us into the top ten, let alone the Play Offs.
Like most owners Sandgaard seems to have dreadfully underestimated the costs of running a club so now wants to put a complete cap on expenditure and hope - against all reality - that he can substantially increase revenues.
what a depressing read that was, I’ve been supportive on TS so far, but leaving us this short in two key positions is criminal and beyond forgiveness, it will come back to bite us on the arse.
As I’m not an absolute wrongun, I won’t be laughing when any professional athlete gets injured. Especially one of our own.
To be honest i'm not disappointed that we didn't sign Bonne, i'm disappointed that we knew we needed a striker all summer and we left it right up until deadline day and he was our only option.
The very fact that Sandgaard felt the need to put a statement out explaining it, tells me he also knows they've fucked up.
I’m honestly not sure it was ever part of the plan over the summer to sign a striker. Chuks’ injury and, possibly to a greater extent, the clamour from fans (because we know Sandgaard wants to be loved by the fans and he’s a bit of a weather-cock for public opinion) has changed the plan towards the end of the window. I hoped, but never believed, the budget was there for a transformational signing up front. Bonne wouldn’t have been the worst signing we ever made but I don’t think he’d have been a difference maker either. Is he really better than even a raw Leaburn? I’m not convinced either way. So if he was the best we could get for the money we could afford, then I’m not upset we’re saving the money for another time when maybe the market is more in our favour, or we can afford more than we can now.
I do think it was clear all summer long that a further centre back was needed and that could and should have been addressed much earlier. It doesn’t seem it was even really being addressed today. A decent free agent centre back might be easier to find though, I suppose. I hope it’s not because we spen too much budget on midfielders like. McGrandles looks a bit of an unneeded signing right now, even if he turns out to be decent.
I’ve also got a bit more faith in Stockley than some, but we do need to figure out how to get more out of him in this system.
I finally feel like we have a manager who can get us out of this division. All Sandgaard had to do was back him with a couple of signings today & we had a good chance.
What a Muppet!
I just hope that Garner hasn’t been badly affected by the lack of support he’s been given. Not wishing to stir the pot but managers have walked for less. At the very least I suspect he’s thinking……WTF is going on!
I finally feel like we have a manager who can get us out of this division. All Sandgaard had to do was back him with a couple of signings today & we had a good chance.
What a Muppet!
I just hope that Garner hasn’t been badly affected by the lack of support he’s been given. Not wishing to stir the pot but managers have walked for less. At the very least I suspect he’s thinking……WTF is going on!
Over dramatic to say Garner hasn’t been backed. He’d have liked a couple more, I’m sure, but he’s been given 7 new signings all of whom he wanted, as far as we can tell.
In the real world managers know they must work within the constraints of budget and player availability and I don’t sense he’s not an active part of the decision making on playing staff.
If he’s as good a coach as he’s made out to be he should be able to get a decent tune out of this squad.
Comments
If we are genuinely looking at free transfers, that suggests money is still there
He sounds so gutted. Just can't see who would be fit enough to come in on a free and put in a shift straight away.
A centre half would have been great given Inniss's known injury issues but we appear to have a lot of prospects in the youth team in defence and perhaps an injury will throw the door open to one of them. We have been there in the past where we have had to throw youngsters in at the deep end and it hasn't always worked out badly, so will just have to see how that goes. As others have pointed out its almost inevitable that Inniss picks up an injury at some point which leaves us relying on the two other centre backs not being injured or suspended.
Each to their own but I wouldn't have minded Bonne back, and I can't for the life of me understand the abuse he seems to attract from some quarters.
We signed him from non-league and played him in a division 3 steps above, and he did well enough to earn a move back there the following season. He isn't the complete player but we are a League One club so complete players are unlikely to be signing for us, especially when we seem to be operating with a budget and not throwing cash around (rightly or wrongly).
I think he did a perfectly reasonable job for us the first time and think he would have done a perfectly reasonable job for us again. He is certainly better than what nothing which is what we ultimately ended up with. As a Charlton fan I'm clearly bias but it does feel lots of very good forwards have moved to clubs that are comparable to us in terms of size and it does beg a question as to why we haven't been able to get any of them through the door.
Hearts are a huge club but surely we could have been in with a shout at Humphrys? Same again with Hibs and Mckirdy. And Jephcott going to League Two with Swindon really caught my eye as well, they are not known for throwing money about so surely he's not earning any more there than we could have offered him.
It can go one of two ways but I'm as worried about who has ended up staying as I am about who didn't come in. Mcg and JFC are clearly not part of the plans moving forward, and I'm not sure how beneficial it will be having them around the squad when it's clear they are unlikely to get a look in. I think both are decent players and probably should be getting in a League One squad somewhere, even if its not with us. I'm pleased DJ stayed as I think he adds something to us but will be interesting to see how he adapts to staying when it seems pretty clear we were ready to offload him.
Emotions are running high in some quarters about Sandgaard and understandably so. I think he is well intentioned but hasn't helped himself with a number of decisions and the bluster that seems to follow him round. All the talk of the black box and us streamlining our recruitment and we have essentially signed a number of players from Swindon who the manager happened to manage last year, along with a few others. They may of course end up being very good players and many have made good starts already, especially Wollacott.
But for all the talk of the black box etc we have yet again been caught with our pants down at the last minute. Nobody needed a black box to tell us where we needed to strengthen and ultimately we haven't done so. For all the talk and bluster about doing things better this window he has ended up having to put out what must have been a very embarrising statement at the end of this window admitting we've essentially fallen short and will now be scrambling around for free agents. Perhaps this might be a lesson that I think really needs to be learned that actually it is much better to quietly go about your work and get things done, rather than brag and bluster about things and then ultimately end up with egg on your face.
I know people are disappointed, and rightly so, but we brought in a new manager and seven players who all seem like they could be good additions in this window. Did we come up short? Yes. But asset striping means selling off anything that can be sold. And we didn't sell, we bought.
That 4th choice loan player only NEEDS to be better than Ness and Elewere.
Ness has looked pretty good to me so far, and I know he's highly regarded. Deji looks like a potentially quite good but still raw defender. If you'd told me midway through the summer that the two of them would be co-fourth choice I wouldn't have been that bothered by it really.
I'm still more concerned at fullback. Clayden looks good going forward but still raw positionally. Chin looks promising. But I don't think either are as ready as Ness and Deji.
The CB situation would be okay if we looked deeper at other positions, namely fullback and striker. As it stands, I think we're 2-3 light.
Bonne was a loan.
The money pit is empty. We face facts. Time for TS to just face reality. I really do think until the last month, we've done ever so well but we cannot get out of this division without speculating to accumulating.
Our threadbare squad of youth players and regulars can't cut it over 46 games. Not because they aren't good enough but that they simply aren't equipped to make it over 9 months.
Sadly.
shitty - but what can you do? Charlton til I die.
COYA!
Gary Cahill and Michael Hector are available at the upper end of the market - would be interesting to see if we can tempt them for a year of thrills down at the valley if no one else wants them.
Nice idea Thomas, but I think you'll find that virtually every other Chairman in the country wants to do that but long ago realized that with the very, very rare exception, it doesn't work.
With the squad that he has been allowed Garner will be doing reasonably well to get us into the top ten, let alone the Play Offs.
Like most owners Sandgaard seems to have dreadfully underestimated the costs of running a club so now wants to put a complete cap on expenditure and hope - against all reality - that he can substantially increase revenues.
The very fact that Sandgaard felt the need to put a statement out explaining it, tells me he also knows they've fucked up.
hopefully some movement in them, but wonder who that os
I do think it was clear all summer long that a further centre back was needed and that could and should have been addressed much earlier. It doesn’t seem it was even really being addressed today. A decent free agent centre back might be easier to find though, I suppose. I hope it’s not because we spen too much budget on midfielders like. McGrandles looks a bit of an unneeded signing right now, even if he turns out to be decent.
I’ve also got a bit more faith in Stockley than some, but we do need to figure out how to get more out of him in this system.
Not wishing to stir the pot but managers have walked for less.
At the very least I suspect he’s thinking……WTF is going on!
of whom he wanted, as far as we can tell.
In the real world managers know they must work within the constraints of budget and player availability and I don’t sense he’s not an active part of the decision making on playing staff.