Waking up to not even seeing Bonne signing is something I did not expect, although as others have said, the writing was on the wall.
Clearly our owner doesn’t want to spend money anymore and everything is being done on the cheap, he spent some fees when he first got here but I think it’s a case of ‘reality bites’ for TS and he’s realised just because you spend 500k on a promising player, you aren’t always gonna see that players stock rise, so going against his own words, football really isn’t that simple.
There were a lot of attainable players at reasonable fees in this league and league 2, the fact he hasn’t even got one shows what the future holds,
balance the books, sell any of our valuable assets if an offer comes along, keep us competitive until a new investor/owner comes along. If he had any ambition with us he would be paying the 300-500k fees required to get the good players in contract at this level, I honestly think it’s unacceptable they’ve waited until the final minute to get a striker when they’ve had all summer. Our scouting system is terrible, all our good signings are from Ben Garners previous side, there’s no way there wasn’t National league & league 2 players ready to make the step up or even prem clubs with young players needing game time. Just seems like utter laziness and lack of knowledge
I wasnt a fan of Bonne coming in but bottom line is, we needed a striker and now we are potentially up shit creek.
Wont say TS and co are to blame though...goalposts being moved by QPR is unprofessional and in fairness to Bonne, bad for his career as he isnt going to play much there.
Hopefully there are free agents that have some potential or QPR let Bonne go so he can join us but after there actions last night, I highly doubt it!
On wednesday night we saw how good some of our youngsters are.As long as we dont get a mass of injuries to senior players,these lads can step in and play alongside and will not look out of place.Would Bonne score more goals than Leaburn this year,would a journeyman CB be better cover than Ness.Henry looks as though he is waiting for that opportunity of a run in the team.Used correctly these lads will do the job ,no panic from me over the non signings.
Probably come across as sarcasm because the majority are nursing deadline day hangovers but I’m with you on this 👍🏻
Too fed up to post last night. My balanced thoughts this morning are of deflation that we haven't finished the job. We are clearly in a better position (onfield at least!) than last season. Whether that’s by luck or judgement is neither here nor there. We have had a pretty substantial clear out and there are promising signs from Garner and his new, relatively young side. However I cannot work out whether I find it more depressing that we have failed to address the most glaring deficiency in our squad, despite our black box wizardry, or that we appear to have spent the majority of our efforts pursuing Macauley effing Bonne as the answer to the biggest issue we have. Bewildered by the latter and thankful that we have dodged that bullet. I don’t believe it could have worked. Too much resentment from most of the fan base and he isn’t good enough to turn it round. He’d have been on a hiding to nothing. There may be a hidden gem in the free agent market (Vydra anyone?). Sometimes the needy and the desperate can come good. But I’m afraid to say I have lost whatever faith I had in our recruitment committee. I’m hoping for the sake of his credibility that Gallen is simply outvoted by the Saandards and is now as we are led to believe simply a negotiator as I cannot believe he could have suggested or sanctioned the Bonne idea. We are clearly operating with tight purse strings. That’s fair enough. We can bitch about it but it’s not our money. However I have a growing suspicion that we are out of our depth when it comes to operating in this ever more dodgy football world and we need more that a monumental ego and a couple of flashy guitars to put that right. There are bargains out there if you know how to get them. It’s by no means all doom and gloom but it’s a job half done and that’s as frustrating as it was predictable.
Overall I think it was a good transfer window with the players brought in and have shown they can play to our new ethos. However, last nights transfer window closure was disappointing for a number of reasons. Firstly, we didn’t get the centre half and centre forward to improve our squad and allow depth in cover, especially for injury prone players in both positions, Innis and Aneke. Secondly, and I’m not one that knows a lot about the internal politics of the club, but the lack of transfer activity might suggest Sandgaard is looking at doing things on the cheap. This is evident in the lack of funds spent on players this window and his baffling decisions on releasing decent long standing Charlton staff either being inadequately replaced or even not at all.
A positive of the lack of deadline day recruitment is that it means there is more opportunity for the likes of Leaburn, Ness and Henry to get game time. I, like other Charlton fans, like to see the academy players brought through the ranks. Maybe they’re not ready but those three have already shown they can fit in. Had we brought in two more players for the two positions we were looking to fill, it would only move Leaburn and Ness further down the pecking order and we might not see them get more opportunities this season.
On wednesday night we saw how good some of our youngsters are.As long as we dont get a mass of injuries to senior players,these lads can step in and play alongside and will not look out of place.Would Bonne score more goals than Leaburn this year,would a journeyman CB be better cover than Ness.Henry looks as though he is waiting for that opportunity of a run in the team.Used correctly these lads will do the job ,no panic from me over the non signings.
But the manager wanted more signings and he wasn't being unrealistic given that we're comfortably under the squad number limit. It's his arse on the line if results drop off and he's been let down, no question.
I admire your optimism and hope the "you'll never win anything with kids" Hansen'ism works for us as it did for Man U back in the day.
The next utterance from TS will be one expressing surprise that we can’t fill The Valley. What does he expect after a transfer window that leaves us facing another season of mediocrity? It would be hard to persuade anyone to join the Charlton faithful at the moment. Appreciate what TS did in saving the club but I feel he is becoming increasingly delusional.
Also….letting Washington go at the start of the summer - who would have been decent in this system - then leaving it three months to the last minute of the window to fumble over Macauley Bonne (!!) on loan and failing to sign him, does not look like a structured, methodical transfer window.
Went to bed last night straight after the statement dropped. It was a disappointing day, we rode the roller coaster of rumour and expected a signing even if it was one we were less than enamoured with. But some of the anger is a bit OTT, we are a third tier club we aren't a glamour club that players are desperate to join. Even Man Utd can no longer sign whoever they want.
The great Curbs often said "It is what it is." He also used to say "Don't get too high with the highs or too low with the lows". I have caught up with this thread walking the dog, I read it out to him and now he is on suicide watch.
I am upset and annoyed but their are worse things in the world than be disappointed in Charlton and dealings in the transfer market, yet again.
Not bothering with reading the 600+ posts since i went to bed, and reading the post headlines assume all went according to plan then and we got sod all as usual..not even Bonne...🤷♂️ WHY ARE WE SO BLOODY PREDICTABLE EVERY WINDOW..we must be the laughing stock of our neighbours and we all know who they are...God I am so pissed off....
We are running a real risk of Leaburn putting himself in the December shop window.
Maybe that's part of the plan.
Oh well, at least Charlton Life has had a wakeup call from debates like whether we would take Taylor back etc. We are not a club on any player's radar of interest.
So we have two EFL clubs 12 miles distant, presumably with good direct lines of communication and possibly with contacts who know each other. And yet the deal still collapses at the last minute in the dead of night?
My suspicions would be aroused if the deal couldn't be completed by midday - or at least during office hours. Would like to think feelers were going out for options B,C and D by mid afternoon - assuming there were other options?
Sadly it has become obvious that we have a Rock n Roll EGO bullshit owner who is no where near as Rich as people think he is. certainly not Rich enough to take CAFC back to the Championship let alone the premier league . Notts Forest for example bring in 19/20 players that is what a Real Rich owner can do.
We have needed a proper Striker for a long time and Eventually our new young Manager will get very frustrated on promises from our Full of Bullshit owner !!
On wednesday night we saw how good some of our youngsters are.As long as we dont get a mass of injuries to senior players,these lads can step in and play alongside and will not look out of place.Would Bonne score more goals than Leaburn this year,would a journeyman CB be better cover than Ness.Henry looks as though he is waiting for that opportunity of a run in the team.Used correctly these lads will do the job ,no panic from me over the non signings.
I agree but is Ness ready to play a dozen games in league one?
Henry is a real prospect but is he yet strong enough? And remember how he gave the ball away on Wednesday.
Gillingham were terrible, the kids won't face many sides that poor.
And we already have a mass of injuries CBT Sessegnon McGrandles Aneke Egbo Inniss
Whilst busy navel gazing at matter's Charlton yesterday, I paid little attention to what was happening at other Club's. If there are a number of players under contract for the remainder of this season who are unwanted by their Club and don't want to be there, eg Bonne, is it not possible some could become free agents if a mutual agreement can be reached to cancel their contracts. Don't know how many might be in this boat, but if we move too quickly 🤣 we might miss out on those who become available.
Absolutely shocked about yesterday. Was expecting 2X incomings (as per rumours) so was feeling relatively confident about the squad, even though I thought we could do with another experienced LB and perhaps a different option in CM. To sign no-one did not even cross my mind.
The squad is now woefully thin, especially in CB - if O'C or Lavelle get injured, we are genuinely struggling to fill that gap which is inexcusable. The window started well - we seemed to be going about our business professionally, signing players carefully to fit the system. It's ended like a horror show. Why leave it until the last minute? I do not understand.
Anyhow, moving swiftly on - free agents - Vyrda and Winnall - any other options?
Well, transfer deadline day, what's to be said. I think I will borrow a phrase from an "expert" talking about Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It's a self-licking ice-cream cone of failure.
Buy an expensive car but don't bother with a spare tyre or breakdown cover as they cost a lot and you might not need them.
Yet again Sandgaard over promises and under delivers.
And I don't just mean Thomas.
Martin was telling all and sundry, it seems, on Wednesday night about McG turning down a move to Wrexham and that Clare was available for £2m plus we were after this and that. Did he learn nothing from the Washington fiasco?
Meanwhile, Thomas was giving unnecessary updates on the OS before the window had closed.
Yes, deals fall through, yes, every team's fans (bar Forest) always want one more signing than they get but while this is a decent squad and can, bar the injuries already plaguing it, compete it has obvious weaknesses, acknowledged by TS in his latest vanity statement, that haven't been addressed.
The whole break even mantra is nonsense as it's based as much on increasing income as reducing costs but the club just lost its third biggest sponsor (Sandgaard’s words) in Robots DAO, an ill thought out and damaging deal that smacked of desperation and lack of diligence anyway.
Fill the Valley. Admirable but unrealistic especially given the ticket prices so that just leaves cuts in spending.
And the only place where significant savings can be made, because it is by far the biggest area of spending, is player costs.
And if you cut player spending then you end up with a half decent squad but without experienced cover up front or on one side of defence relying on very promising but as yet untested kids to fill the gaps.
Which is where we are, sadly but unnecessarily, now.
Supporting Charlton has rarely been easy and this is not the worst team or the worst situation even in this century but it is still bloody depressing when you realise how close we could be with just a little less conversation and a little more, positive, action, please.
The recent history of our club is of missed opportunities. The goal is open for a split second and we baloon it over the bar. Powell, Bowyer and now Garner just needed a bit of backing. Nothing silly, but sensible targeted backing.
Absolutely shocked about yesterday. Was expecting 2X incomings (as per rumours) so was feeling relatively confident about the squad, even though I thought we could do with another experienced LB and perhaps a different option in CM. To sign no-one did not even cross my mind.
The squad is now woefully thin, especially in CB - if O'C or Lavelle get injured, we are genuinely struggling to fill that gap which is inexcusable. The window started well - we seemed to be going about our business professionally, signing players carefully to fit the system. It's ended like a horror show. Why leave it until the last minute? I do not understand.
Anyhow, moving swiftly on - free agents - Vyrda and Winnall - any other options?
whatever way people want to dress it up, its been a really shit end to the window and i think it says a lot about Sandgaard and his ideas of running a club. I also think it shows that he has no money and short term , we are going to have to make do. Its up to us now though to get behind the manager and players because actually, we havent made a bad start and there has been some promising signs. We have to stick by them and give them the chance to show us what they can do.
A new premier League standard recruitment system (Sandgaards words) bumbles 7 free transfers over the line. Gets shot of possibly our best striking option and plays hardball until deadline day for a b lister we got rid of two seasons ago. And fails
Buy an expensive car but don't bother with a spare tyre or breakdown cover as they cost a lot and you might not need them.
Yet again Sandgaard over promises and under delivers.
And I don't just mean Thomas.
Martin was telling all and sundry, it seems, on Wednesday night about McG turning down a move to Wrexham and that Clare was available for £2m plus we were after this and that. Did he learn nothing from the Washington fiasco?
Meanwhile, Thomas was giving unnecessary updates on the OS before the window had closed.
Yes, deals fall through, yes, every team's fans (bar Forest) always want one more signing than they get but while this is a decent squad and can, bar the injuries already plaguing it, compete it has obvious weaknesses, acknowledged by TS in his latest vanity statement, that haven't been addressed.
The whole break even mantra is nonsense as it's based as much on increasing income as reducing costs but the club just lost its third biggest sponsor (Sandgaard’s words) in Robots DAO, an ill thought out and damaging deal that smacked of desperation and lack of diligence anyway.
Fill the Valley. Admirable but unrealistic especially given the ticket prices so that just leaves cuts in spending.
And the only place where significant savings can be made, because it is by far the biggest area of spending, is player costs.
And if you cut player spending then you end up with a half decent squad but without experienced cover up front or on one side of defence relying on very promising but as yet untested kids to fill the gaps.
Which is where we are, sadly but unnecessarily, now.
Supporting Charlton has rarely been easy and this is not the worst team or the worst situation even in this century but it is still bloody depressing when you realise how close we could be with just a little less conversation and a little more, positive, action, please.
Great perspective. The frustration for me isn’t that the Bonne deal fell through, it’s that we left it this late to bring him in, and our whole move for him was reactive and a bit of a panic move. I like Bonne, I think he did okay for us in the championship and would’ve provided an okay alternative to Stockley, but to take it back a step, it looks as though the set up with Stockley in a 3 may not work based on the first few games, and that’s where the bigger questions should be asked.
I could be wrong, but he has 0/6 from open play and I think he struggles in this set up. That’s on BG as well. If he’s come in adamant that’s our style, then you need to try and get players to fit it. I know he’s not been given money to spend and has been working within a budget, so that constrains him, which brings me back to Henry’s post.
The problem with TS is that he doesn’t really know much about football, let alone running a club. I am eternally grateful for the financial support, but being 2 years in now, it’s clear that we initially threw money and positivity at it, but that’s not worked, and the realisation of what he now owns and has to fund has it home.
TS has to his credit spent decent money on fees for players, but think what an additional £300k could’ve meant this summer if we hadn’t of wasted it in Jan bringing back Aneke. It’s a small example, but a very good one, because it shows how haphazard I think we are when it comes to transfers. As much as I like the additions this season, our transfer policy has been 3 free transfers from Swindon, one from Rochdale and one from a team that finished below us in League One. They may all go on to have decent seasons, but it’s risky.
someone mentioned Wrexham’s set up and their owners not having much of an idea about running the club and appointing someone that does. That’s exactly what we needed to do 2 years ago. It’s a bit too late now
Our transfer windows shine a light on how disorganized we are imo. Remember the scramble last year to bring in Lee, Arter and Leko. We had another scramble last night to bring reactive signings in and shift a few surplus to requirements out. I know a lot of other clubs face the same and it’s the nature of the window, it just seems like messy Groundhog Day for us every year, and highlights the lack of focus/direction
Buy an expensive car but don't bother with a spare tyre or breakdown cover as they cost a lot and you might not need them.
Yet again Sandgaard over promises and under delivers.
And I don't just mean Thomas.
Martin was telling all and sundry, it seems, on Wednesday night about McG turning down a move to Wrexham and that Clare was available for £2m plus we were after this and that. Did he learn nothing from the Washington fiasco?
Meanwhile, Thomas was giving unnecessary updates on the OS before the window had closed.
Yes, deals fall through, yes, every team's fans (bar Forest) always want one more signing than they get but while this is a decent squad and can, bar the injuries already plaguing it, compete it has obvious weaknesses, acknowledged by TS in his latest vanity statement, that haven't been addressed.
The whole break even mantra is nonsense as it's based as much on increasing income as reducing costs but the club just lost its third biggest sponsor (Sandgaard’s words) in Robots DAO, an ill thought out and damaging deal that smacked of desperation and lack of diligence anyway.
Fill the Valley. Admirable but unrealistic especially given the ticket prices so that just leaves cuts in spending.
And the only place where significant savings can be made, because it is by far the biggest area of spending, is player costs.
And if you cut player spending then you end up with a half decent squad but without experienced cover up front or on one side of defence relying on very promising but as yet untested kids to fill the gaps.
Which is where we are, sadly but unnecessarily, now.
Supporting Charlton has rarely been easy and this is not the worst team or the worst situation even in this century but it is still bloody depressing when you realise how close we could be with just a little less conversation and a little more, positive, action, please.
The recent history of our club is of missed opportunities. The goal is open for a split second and we baloon it over the bar. Powell, Bowyer and now Garner just needed a bit of backing. Nothing silly, but sensible targeted backing.
Have to say I’m not really on board with the Garner will have to ‘perform a miracle’ discourse to get us out of this league.
Think it does a disservice to the talent we have in our squad, in our youth, and his ability as a manager. From what I’ve seen this season I think we are still going to be very competitive this year, and it will be that talent, hard work and good coaching that get us promoted - if it does happen.
The miracle will be keeping Aneke fit, and not having any other big injuries/suspensions in the squad. We are Inniss being injured, and a CB then getting suspended away from potentially having to overuse a youth player in a tough run of fixtures.
Comments
balance the books, sell any of our valuable assets if an offer comes along, keep us competitive until a new investor/owner comes along. If he had any ambition with us he would be paying the 300-500k fees required to get the good players in contract at this level, I honestly think it’s unacceptable they’ve waited until the final minute to get a striker when they’ve had all summer. Our scouting system is terrible, all our good signings are from Ben Garners previous side, there’s no way there wasn’t National league & league 2 players ready to make the step up or even prem clubs with young players needing game time. Just seems like utter laziness and lack of knowledge
Wont say TS and co are to blame though...goalposts being moved by QPR is unprofessional and in fairness to Bonne, bad for his career as he isnt going to play much there.
Hopefully there are free agents that have some potential or QPR let Bonne go so he can join us but after there actions last night, I highly doubt it!
I admire your optimism and hope the "you'll never win anything with kids" Hansen'ism works for us as it did for Man U back in the day.
It would be hard to persuade anyone to join the Charlton faithful at the moment.
Appreciate what TS did in saving the club but I feel he is becoming increasingly delusional.
The great Curbs often said "It is what it is." He also used to say "Don't get too high with the highs or too low with the lows". I have caught up with this thread walking the dog, I read it out to him and now he is on suicide watch.
I am upset and annoyed but their are worse things in the world than be disappointed in Charlton and dealings in the transfer market, yet again.
WHY ARE WE SO BLOODY PREDICTABLE EVERY WINDOW..we must be the laughing stock of our neighbours and we all know who they are...God I am so pissed off....
Maybe that's part of the plan.
Oh well, at least Charlton Life has had a wakeup call from debates like whether we would take Taylor back etc. We are not a club on any player's radar of interest.
My suspicions would be aroused if the deal couldn't be completed by midday - or at least during office hours. Would like to think feelers were going out for options B,C and D by mid afternoon - assuming there were other options?
certainly not Rich enough to take CAFC back to the Championship let alone the premier league
.
Notts Forest for example bring in 19/20 players that is what a Real Rich owner can do.
We have needed a proper Striker for a long time and Eventually our new young Manager will get very frustrated on promises from our Full of Bullshit owner !!
Henry is a real prospect but is he yet strong enough? And remember how he gave the ball away on Wednesday.
Gillingham were terrible, the kids won't face many sides that poor.
And we already have a mass of injuries
CBT
Sessegnon
McGrandles
Aneke
Egbo
Inniss
All out
The squad is now woefully thin, especially in CB - if O'C or Lavelle get injured, we are genuinely struggling to fill that gap which is inexcusable. The window started well - we seemed to be going about our business professionally, signing players carefully to fit the system. It's ended like a horror show. Why leave it until the last minute? I do not understand.
Anyhow, moving swiftly on - free agents - Vyrda and Winnall - any other options?
I can guess how much he paid for it.
I could be wrong, but he has 0/6 from open play and I think he struggles in this set up. That’s on BG as well. If he’s come in adamant that’s our style, then you need to try and get players to fit it. I know he’s not been given money to spend and has been working within a budget, so that constrains him, which brings me back to Henry’s post.
The problem with TS is that he doesn’t really know much about football, let alone running a club. I am eternally grateful for the financial support, but being 2 years in now, it’s clear that we initially threw money and positivity at it, but that’s not worked, and the realisation of what he now owns and has to fund has it home.
TS has to his credit spent decent money on fees for players, but think what an additional £300k could’ve meant this summer if we hadn’t of wasted it in Jan bringing back Aneke. It’s a small example, but a very good one, because it shows how haphazard I think we are when it comes to transfers. As much as I like the additions this season, our transfer policy has been 3 free transfers from Swindon, one from Rochdale and one from a team that finished below us in League One. They may all go on to have decent seasons, but it’s risky.
someone mentioned Wrexham’s set up and their owners not having much of an idea about running the club and appointing someone that does. That’s exactly what we needed to do 2 years ago. It’s a bit too late now
Our transfer windows shine a light on how disorganized we are imo. Remember the scramble last year to bring in Lee, Arter and Leko. We had another scramble last night to bring reactive signings in and shift a few surplus to requirements out. I know a lot of other clubs face the same and it’s the nature of the window, it just seems like messy Groundhog Day for us every year, and highlights the lack of focus/direction
Think it does a disservice to the talent we have in our squad, in our youth, and his ability as a manager. From what I’ve seen this season I think we are still going to be very competitive this year, and it will be that talent, hard work and good coaching that get us promoted - if it does happen.