My optimism has been tempered a bit now because I wanted to see a proven striker brought in and integrated ready to start against Accrington, which seems unlikely to happen in time, if at all, now.
Not having 2 of the 5 new signings ready to start isn't great either, but it seems our injury curse endures above all else. Still, the sun's out and the birds are singing. Hey Ho!
And we may be selling two more players this week. The squad is seriously malnutritioned!
When was last time we had a ‘good’ pre season and how did we do that season ?
Agree. And to work out a preferred shape and learn the style of play the manager wants. I wouldn’t read anything into this result as I would the Dartford and Col U games.
My optimism has been tempered a bit now because I wanted to see a proven striker brought in and integrated ready to start against Accrington, which seems unlikely to happen in time, if at all, now.
Not having 2 of the 5 new signings ready to start isn't great either, but it seems our injury curse endures above all else. Still, the sun's out and the birds are singing. Hey Ho!
And we may be selling two more players this week. The squad is seriously malnutritioned!
Havent seen anything about us selling two players this week - Before the end of the window maybe
But then I'd expect others in before the end of the window still
My optimism has been tempered a bit now because I wanted to see a proven striker brought in and integrated ready to start against Accrington, which seems unlikely to happen in time, if at all, now.
Not having 2 of the 5 new signings ready to start isn't great either, but it seems our injury curse endures above all else. Still, the sun's out and the birds are singing. Hey Ho!
And we may be selling two more players this week. The squad is seriously malnutritioned!
Havent seen anything about us selling two players this week - Before the end of the window maybe
But then I'd expect others in before the end of the window still
Assume that JFC & JD Ponytail being mentioned about being sold.
When was last time we had a ‘good’ pre season and how did we do that season ?
Agree. And to work out a preferred shape and learn the style of play the manager wants. I wouldn’t read anything into this result as I would the Dartford and Col U games.
The times we’ve had a really impressive pre season and then been shit once the season starts and vice versa , I’ve learned not to make judgement until I see the team at full intensity in the first game and probably a couple of games more, both teams are then playing for points and we get a real reading of our level against the teams we could be fighting hopefully for promotion.
My optimism has been tempered a bit now because I wanted to see a proven striker brought in and integrated ready to start against Accrington, which seems unlikely to happen in time, if at all, now.
Not having 2 of the 5 new signings ready to start isn't great either, but it seems our injury curse endures above all else. Still, the sun's out and the birds are singing. Hey Ho!
And we may be selling two more players this week. The squad is seriously malnutritioned!
Havent seen anything about us selling two players this week - Before the end of the window maybe
But then I'd expect others in before the end of the window still
Assume that JFC & JD Ponytail being mentioned about being sold.
Yeah but there is nothing to say they'll be leaving anytime in the very near future, doesnt sound like we've even had a concrete bid in for Forster-Caskey as yet.
My optimism has been tempered a bit now because I wanted to see a proven striker brought in and integrated ready to start against Accrington, which seems unlikely to happen in time, if at all, now.
Not having 2 of the 5 new signings ready to start isn't great either, but it seems our injury curse endures above all else. Still, the sun's out and the birds are singing. Hey Ho!
And we may be selling two more players this week. The squad is seriously malnutritioned!
Havent seen anything about us selling two players this week - Before the end of the window maybe
But then I'd expect others in before the end of the window still
Assume that JFC & JD Ponytail being mentioned about being sold.
Yeah but there is nothing to say they'll be leaving anytime in the very near future, doesnt sound like we've even had a concrete bid in for Forster-Caskey as yet.
If Cawley reports it, it'll happen. Davison will be off, minimum. Doesn't change we are woefully short of players to play the system Garner wants.
My optimism has been tempered a bit now because I wanted to see a proven striker brought in and integrated ready to start against Accrington, which seems unlikely to happen in time, if at all, now.
Not having 2 of the 5 new signings ready to start isn't great either, but it seems our injury curse endures above all else. Still, the sun's out and the birds are singing. Hey Ho!
And we may be selling two more players this week. The squad is seriously malnutritioned!
Havent seen anything about us selling two players this week - Before the end of the window maybe
But then I'd expect others in before the end of the window still
Assume that JFC & JD Ponytail being mentioned about being sold.
Yeah but there is nothing to say they'll be leaving anytime in the very near future, doesnt sound like we've even had a concrete bid in for Forster-Caskey as yet.
If Cawley reports it, it'll happen. Davison will be off, minimum. Doesn't change we are woefully short of players to play the system Garner wants.
All Cawley has done is report that we've had two bids for Davison and expect him to leave - What happens, if the clubs interested dont agree with our evaluation and go elsewhere?
Cawley isnt wrong, because he's reported what has happened, but things can still change - As it is, Id probably reward Leaburn over Davison with a place on the bench against Accrington anyway. So unless we suddenly get a ton of injuries at the start of the season, Davison not being involved doesnt really bother me.
Either way I'm not disputing what Cawley has said... I just doubt we'll lose JFC / Davison this week
If we are serious about promotion, a signing like Cole Stockton would be a real sign of intent. Also, at this level, I believe you need two strikers. Unless you have loads of goals elsewhere which we clearly haven't.
My optimism has been tempered a bit now because I wanted to see a proven striker brought in and integrated ready to start against Accrington, which seems unlikely to happen in time, if at all, now.
Not having 2 of the 5 new signings ready to start isn't great either, but it seems our injury curse endures above all else. Still, the sun's out and the birds are singing. Hey Ho!
And we may be selling two more players this week. The squad is seriously malnutritioned!
Havent seen anything about us selling two players this week - Before the end of the window maybe
But then I'd expect others in before the end of the window still
Assume that JFC & JD Ponytail being mentioned about being sold.
Yeah but there is nothing to say they'll be leaving anytime in the very near future, doesnt sound like we've even had a concrete bid in for Forster-Caskey as yet.
If Cawley reports it, it'll happen. Davison will be off, minimum. Doesn't change we are woefully short of players to play the system Garner wants.
All Cawley has done is report that we've had two bids for Davison and expect him to leave - What happens, if the clubs interested dont agree with our evaluation and go elsewhere?
Cawley isnt wrong, because he's reported what has happened, but things can still change - As it is, Id probably reward Leaburn over Davison with a place on the bench against Accrington anyway. So unless we suddenly get a ton of injuries at the start of the season, Davison not being involved doesnt really bother me.
The only reason we got a new contract signed was to get a fee for him! Otherwise we wouldn't entertain offers for a player we just signed on a new deal!
Sorry it doesn't fit your rhetoric but you don't sign a player on a new contract and say you will listen to bids unless you only ever wanted to get a fee.
When was last time we had a ‘good’ pre season and how did we do that season ?
Agree. And to work out a preferred shape and learn the style of play the manager wants. I wouldn’t read anything into this result as I would the Dartford and Col U games.
The times we’ve had a really impressive pre season and then been shit once the season starts and vice versa , I’ve learned not to make judgement until I see the team at full intensity in the first game and probably a couple of games more, both teams are then playing for points and we get a real reading of our level against the teams we could be fighting hopefully for promotion.
I’m definitely going to try and give the team a chance to show what they can do and start to form more of an opinion after 10 games. On paper I don’t think we look strong enough, but let’s see.
Let’s see how things pan out over the first 6 games of the season. We’re not done with recruitment.
There were some brighter moments through the second half where we upped the tempo and cut through their press.
We’ll be able to do it with more regularity the more they play together and the cooler the temperatures. It was clear watching the stream that we could play more quickly when we wanted to do so.
On tempo, an attacking possession style doesn’t mean playing at a high tempo throughout the entire 90 minutes. Think back to teams like MK Dons over the last couple of seasons. Patiently keeping the ball can at times be used as a way for the team to rest and tire out of the opposition. If gaps appears it’s a chance to up the tempo. At times we’ll want teams to press us in order to open up gaps.
I just hope we start well enough to show it’s worth sticking with. There were teams with far smaller budgets than us passing the ball much better than we did last season, it’s not a style that can’t be successful at this level.
My optimism has been tempered a bit now because I wanted to see a proven striker brought in and integrated ready to start against Accrington, which seems unlikely to happen in time, if at all, now.
Not having 2 of the 5 new signings ready to start isn't great either, but it seems our injury curse endures above all else. Still, the sun's out and the birds are singing. Hey Ho!
And we may be selling two more players this week. The squad is seriously malnutritioned!
Havent seen anything about us selling two players this week - Before the end of the window maybe
But then I'd expect others in before the end of the window still
Assume that JFC & JD Ponytail being mentioned about being sold.
Yeah but there is nothing to say they'll be leaving anytime in the very near future, doesnt sound like we've even had a concrete bid in for Forster-Caskey as yet.
If Cawley reports it, it'll happen. Davison will be off, minimum. Doesn't change we are woefully short of players to play the system Garner wants.
All Cawley has done is report that we've had two bids for Davison and expect him to leave - What happens, if the clubs interested dont agree with our evaluation and go elsewhere?
Cawley isnt wrong, because he's reported what has happened, but things can still change - As it is, Id probably reward Leaburn over Davison with a place on the bench against Accrington anyway. So unless we suddenly get a ton of injuries at the start of the season, Davison not being involved doesnt really bother me.
The only reason we got a new contract signed was to get a fee for him! Otherwise we wouldn't entertain offers for a player we just signed on a new deal!
Sorry it doesn't fit your rhetoric but you don't sign a player on a new contract and say you will listen to bids unless you only ever wanted to get a fee.
I said the moment we took up the year option that we only signed Davison to get a bloody fee.
I expect him to leave myself, I just dont think its going to be a quick sale - thats all I'm arguing!!
Can Steven Sessegnon overlap on the left in an attacking position ? If the answer is No then no point in playing Charlie Kirk as he will just turn in on his favoured right foot which any coach can inform his players to stop. CBT has to get the gig on the left unless we are getting the attacking LB with some pace to get up and down and cross the ball from an advanced player with his Left foot.
No comment on today as didn't watch and just read this thread but the number 3 position has been an ongoing issue for a year and needs to be addressed.
Which is what I noted during the game, as in the first half we had little width down the left as Sessegnon also likes to cut inside, and is more comfortable on his right foot
Clayden came on at half time, and it's no coincidence that Kirk looked more dangerous as the defenders also had to cover the player on the outside
When was last time we had a ‘good’ pre season and how did we do that season ?
Agree. And to work out a preferred shape and learn the style of play the manager wants. I wouldn’t read anything into this result as I would the Dartford and Col U games.
I agree that the results don't matter, but the performances do, especially as the team is trying to play in a different way. Is the defensive shape right, are we creating chances, are we passing from the back or having to hoof etc
The first 5 minutes of the Albie experiment as backup defensive mid - a “risky pass in the defensive third” followed by him not tracking back and his man slipping behind him to get a shot off that wollacot saved. Please Gallen - don’t sell jfc. We have no cover if Dobson is injured
McGrandles played defensive mid for Lincoln last season.
When was last time we had a ‘good’ pre season and how did we do that season ?
Agree. And to work out a preferred shape and learn the style of play the manager wants. I wouldn’t read anything into this result as I would the Dartford and Col U games.
The times we’ve had a really impressive pre season and then been shit once the season starts and vice versa , I’ve learned not to make judgement until I see the team at full intensity in the first game and probably a couple of games more, both teams are then playing for points and we get a real reading of our level against the teams we could be fighting hopefully for promotion.
I’m definitely going to try and give the team a chance to show what they can do and start to form more of an opinion after 10 games. On paper I don’t think we look strong enough, but let’s see.
Couldn’t agree more Cabbles….this is where I am at too
My optimism has been tempered a bit now because I wanted to see a proven striker brought in and integrated ready to start against Accrington, which seems unlikely to happen in time, if at all, now.
Not having 2 of the 5 new signings ready to start isn't great either, but it seems our injury curse endures above all else. Still, the sun's out and the birds are singing. Hey Ho!
My thoughts as well. If we don't further strengthen then we're possibly looking at 9th-12th. If Stockley or Aneke get any sort of medium term injury we're possibly looking at bottom half. If we get in a good striker, goal scoring midfielder, left back and possibly left footed centre half, we could be making a promotion challenge probably via the play offs.
I'm assuming Swindon & Gillingham have made offers for Davison Ponytail. If you've got 2 potential buyers it make sense to hold out for a higher bid for at least another week.
I'm assuming Swindon & Gillingham have made offers for Davison Ponytail. If you've got 2 potential buyers it make sense to hold out for a higher bid for at least another week.
Perhaps we can sell Davison to Swindon and Ponytail to Gillingham?
We may be playing our cards close to our chest in order not to be ripped off in the transfer market but I simply cannot believe that TS/MS (who admittedly know eff all about football) and Gallen/Garner (who I cling to the faint hope know rather more than eff all about football) can between them think that our current four strikers constitute a promotion worthy attack. Stockley to me is vastly overrated (controversial!) and unsuited to the style we purport to play. Aneke is fine as an impact sub when he is fit but cannot be relied on. Leaburn shows a lot of promise but should be finding his feet in the Pizza Freight Silly Buggers Cup and Davison-Ponytail is hopeless at this level. We need at least two proven strikers of the right sort (not six foot six sledgehammers) and those will cost. Maybe all will, as they say, be revealed. But I’m not holding my breath.
We're playing with a forward line of 3, by the looks of it, with two wingers/wide forwards and one central striker. I think we'll replace Davison with a central striker to backup Stockley (hopefully someone with a bit more mobility) and I think we'll bring in a McKirdy/Wilks wide-forward. Is that what people are are expecting when asking for two more strikers, or is it two strikers to play the Stockley position, because I think that's overkill for the formation we're going to play.
Also, how good would Yann have been as the central striker in this formation with his link up play and finishing ability?
Can Steven Sessegnon overlap on the left in an attacking position ? If the answer is No then no point in playing Charlie Kirk as he will just turn in on his favoured right foot which any coach can inform his players to stop. CBT has to get the gig on the left unless we are getting the attacking LB with some pace to get up and down and cross the ball from an advanced player with his Left foot.
No comment on today as didn't watch and just read this thread but the number 3 position has been an ongoing issue for a year and needs to be addressed.
Which is what I noted during the game, as in the first half we had little width down the left as Sessegnon also likes to cut inside, and is more comfortable on his right foot
Clayden came on at half time, and it's no coincidence that Kirk looked more dangerous as the defenders also had to cover the player on the outside
I think it was your post that promoted my response so cheers for the information on Steven Sessegnon.
Two examples of having 3 forwards who can cover all positions up front successfully are Liverpool who with originally Mane, Salah and Firmino; now mainly Jota or Dias who just kept changing positions.
There must be examples of 3 working in League 1with forwards who can all score and make assists ?
The England team with 3 forwards Play a slightly different version with winger/Strikers in Mead and Hemp changing sides every 10 minutes or so and White or her Sub Russo taking the central position.
Ok this is elite sides in the men's and woman's football and all of the players mentioned are goal scorers whether they pick up the ball wide or go central so they always have two in or around the area plus the attacking midfielder.
Kirk/Stockley/CBT won't work. CBT/Aneke/DJ won't work
Kirk/Davison/Leaburn won't work
Of course at times it can work but so did 3-5-2 or otherwise we wouldn't have gone from 22nd to 13th under JJ but it also stopped working because of not having players good enough overall in the positions. If we had two bona fide wing backs we would have probably finished 8th or 9th.
Perm any 3 of our players in a 3 up front and I can't see it working unless we are better at getting support to the central striker.
Just my sober opinion and unfortunately I called it correct at the start of last season when I said we wouldn't score from open play with 2 wide men and Stockley. Last game in August before we did.
Ben Garner has a good reputation as a coach so I'm intrigued to see how he will set the team up as at the moment it feels we will get caught in limbo.
What reserve center forward is going to come here? You have Stockley who is the established starter and Aneke who is a very good reserve(albeit always injured). If you find someone who is going to clearly displace Stockley, then maybe but I am not sure if anyone is available who would fit that role other than Stockton who a numbers of clubs are targeting. A more realistic priority is to get a wide forward who can score. Kirk and CBT are both guys who can get assists but I don’t see either scoring too much
My optimism has been tempered a bit now because I wanted to see a proven striker brought in and integrated ready to start against Accrington, which seems unlikely to happen in time, if at all, now.
Not having 2 of the 5 new signings ready to start isn't great either, but it seems our injury curse endures above all else. Still, the sun's out and the birds are singing. Hey Ho!
And we may be selling two more players this week. The squad is seriously malnutritioned!
We can look forward to bottom feeding by Xmas then! 😎 (sorry, couldn't resist a 🐟 pun with innuendo).
Our expectations should be top end, but as they're not, even the bookies unimpressed, my hope is that we'll outperform with what's available where we underperformed last term.
After all, we start level with the rest and who knows what state of readiness we'll find others in early on, although I accept that we need to get some reinforcements in soon, whether they be perms or loans.
What reserve center forward is going to come here? You have Stockley who is the established starter and Aneke who is a very good reserve(albeit always injured). If you find someone who is going to clearly displace Stockley, then maybe but I am not sure if anyone is available who would fit that role other than Stockton who a numbers of clubs are targeting. A more realistic priority is to get a wide forward who can score. Kirk and CBT are both guys who can get assists but I don’t see either scoring too much
It has to be a forward like Grant or Taylor who can go wide or central ? Good luck Steve Gallen and Martin Sandgaard with that.
The only highlights I have seen from yesterday was presumably the silent Sutton 4 minute one. What caught my eye was Kirk. He was doing some quite positive and progressive stuff I have not seen him do in a Charlton shirt before. It was only a snippet mind.
Comments
But then I'd expect others in before the end of the window still
Davison will be off, minimum.
Doesn't change we are woefully short of players to play the system Garner wants.
Cawley isnt wrong, because he's reported what has happened, but things can still change - As it is, Id probably reward Leaburn over Davison with a place on the bench against Accrington anyway. So unless we suddenly get a ton of injuries at the start of the season, Davison not being involved doesnt really bother me.
Either way I'm not disputing what Cawley has said... I just doubt we'll lose JFC / Davison this week
We're holding out for better money for our players, just as other clubs are holding out for better money for theirs.
That will change towards the end of August.
Sorry it doesn't fit your rhetoric but you don't sign a player on a new contract and say you will listen to bids unless you only ever wanted to get a fee.
I just hope we start well enough to show it’s worth sticking with. There were teams with far smaller budgets than us passing the ball much better than we did last season, it’s not a style that can’t be successful at this level.
I expect him to leave myself, I just dont think its going to be a quick sale - thats all I'm arguing!!
Clayden came on at half time, and it's no coincidence that Kirk looked more dangerous as the defenders also had to cover the player on the outside
If we don't further strengthen then we're possibly looking at 9th-12th.
If Stockley or Aneke get any sort of medium term injury we're possibly looking at bottom half.
If we get in a good striker, goal scoring midfielder, left back and possibly left footed centre half, we could be making a promotion challenge probably via the play offs.
If you've got 2 potential buyers it make sense to hold out for a higher bid for at least another week.
Also, how good would Yann have been as the central striker in this formation with his link up play and finishing ability?
I think it was your post that promoted my response so cheers for the information on Steven Sessegnon.
Two examples of having 3 forwards who can cover all positions up front successfully are Liverpool who with originally Mane, Salah and Firmino; now mainly Jota or Dias who just kept changing positions.
There must be examples of 3 working in League 1with forwards who can all score and make assists ?
The England team with 3 forwards Play a slightly different version with winger/Strikers in Mead and Hemp changing sides every 10 minutes or so and White or her Sub Russo taking the central position.
Ok this is elite sides in the men's and woman's football and all of the players mentioned are goal scorers whether they pick up the ball wide or go central so they always have two in or around the area plus the attacking midfielder.
Kirk/Stockley/CBT won't work.
CBT/Aneke/DJ won't work
Of course at times it can work but so did 3-5-2 or otherwise we wouldn't have gone from 22nd to 13th under JJ but it also stopped working because of not having players good enough overall in the positions. If we had two bona fide wing backs we would have probably finished 8th or 9th.
Perm any 3 of our players in a 3 up front and I can't see it working unless we are better at getting support to the central striker.
Just my sober opinion and unfortunately I called it correct at the start of last season when I said we wouldn't score from open play with 2 wide men and Stockley. Last game in August before we did.
Ben Garner has a good reputation as a coach so I'm intrigued to see how he will set the team up as at the moment it feels we will get caught in limbo.
Our expectations should be top end, but as they're not, even the bookies unimpressed, my hope is that we'll outperform with what's available where we underperformed last term.
After all, we start level with the rest and who knows what state of readiness we'll find others in early on, although I accept that we need to get some reinforcements in soon, whether they be perms or loans.
It has to be a forward like Grant or Taylor who can go wide or central ? Good luck Steve Gallen and Martin Sandgaard with that.
What caught my eye was Kirk. He was doing some quite positive and progressive stuff I have not seen him do in a Charlton shirt before.
It was only a snippet mind.