I'm waiting for one of our local journos to ask TS about where we now stand with blowing this league out of the water and being in The Premier League in what is now 4 years I believe?
Still gobsmacked that people who claim to have followed Charlton and English football in general for years and years, took him at his word on that, and didn't just give him a squeeze for getting over excited about the takeover at the time.
I can understand a 6 year old getting excited at xmas when they are opening their presents but a 60 year old businesman who is in charge of the cheques should know better. If he wasn't going to splash the cash (and no reason why he should - its his money) then best not say anything or did he somehow think we were going to be worldbeaters by bringing in 19 year old loanees or players with injury records as long as your arm.
Maybe he should've consulted you when making his $$millions over the last 3 decades eh Golfie. You could've also advised on etiquette when making multi £m investments this side of the pond too mate. 👍
But I also have faith they know that, and can't believe we'll hit deadline day without 4 or 5 more signings, with maybe 2 or 3 heading out.
You obviously weren't here last year then. If you were then you might remember the exact same posts being put up on here at this time. Posters, like me, saying we were behind the pack in terms of player recruitment & then being told to be patient and that the transfer window didnt shut for another 6 weeks.
And we all know how that panned out. Papa Souare anyone ?
RD was simply bad news for our football club. He had no interest in our results, saw us as an opportunity to show people you could own football clubs and not lose money. It would never have worked with us and never showed any signs that it would.
TS owns us for the right reasons, he wants to win matches.
At presant we are getting the on the pitch stuff wrong. How much this is down to him we don't know, but it costs him more money the more and how badly we get that part wrong.
The bloke does not deserve (or will get) any protests, but nor is it unreasonable for supporters to question why a club with our expectations/facilities/supporter base to be so low in the football pyramid.
At presant Charlton has been at this level since 2009 for far too long. To even have a chance as a going concern business we need to be in the league higher. That is not some sort of supporter entitlement, that is what TS as benefactor needs to ensure, otherwise he will be continually piling a load of money into an ailing business.
All the time he is the owner and doing what he is doing I will not walk away, but equally I will continue to ask questions on this forum and with any other supporters at games when we continue to struggle in Division 3
I've been supporting this club for about 56 years. I think I've seen 7 promotions and 8 relegations. I've been there in the good times. I've been there in the bad times. So I believe I'm entitled to my opinion.
We will never be successful under Sandgaard. He will be gone by this time next year.
But I also have faith they know that, and can't believe we'll hit deadline day without 4 or 5 more signings, with maybe 2 or 3 heading out.
You obviously weren't here last year then. If you were then you might remember the exact same posts being put up on here at this time. Posters, like me, saying we were behind the pack in terms of player recruitment & then being told to be patient and that the transfer window didnt shut for another 6 weeks.
And we all know how that panned out. Papa Souare anyone ?
I was, Golfie, and I agreed with you on the strikers. Davison wasn't good enough to be a 3rd striker. To make that error once is careless, to do it twice is just stupid. We had just finished 7th, though, on a good run, so there was some reason for believing the squad was close to good enough. No such excuse this time. I don’t mind waiting for quality, but waiting for dross I do mind about.
He is determined to balance the books. He's clearly had a good look at the financial potential of the club over the last two years and is now cutting his cloth accordingly. It's his mission to achieve this based on what he's told me. I also agree 100% with him. I don't agree with a lot of what he has done and really don't like the more public side of his persona and as for the guitar stuff. On the whole I'm not a fan of show offs no matter who and where they've come from and I personally do not expect any individual to spend crazy money on the club. Football at our level has to sort itself out and I for one would love CAFC to financially straighten itself out as part of this. Ultimately the clubs with the largest and richest fanbase will succeed that's just the way the cookie crumbles.
I believe you do have a line to him, many seem to. Iam not convinced he is cutting his cloth accordingly more than he has done previously. He has just changed priorities, cut backs in back office staff for example must have been counter balanced by more coaches for CAT1 and I personally think that is sensible.
I've been supporting this club for about 56 years. I think I've seen 7 promotions and 8 relegations. I've been there in the good times. I've been there in the bad times. So I believe I'm entitled to my opinion.
We will never be successful under Sandgaard. He will be gone by this time next year.
I am in a similar position to you (54 years) and whilst owners/managers/players come and go we remain, and that is what supporting a club is all about.
That's a very balanced view of the current issues, CE & one which I'm pretty certain that the majority of "TS haters" will align with.
I have to stop myself from pressing the "lol" button when those that question our owner's modus operandi as described as haters.
That's extremely lazy &, IMO, emotive language which in NO way describes the concerns many have regarding the sustainability of the current methods used by TS.
TBH, I'll leave it there as I can't be a*sed to repeat the reasons that I, for one, have for doubting Thomas.....
And I sincerely hope that, sooner rather than later ( too late ?) & if promotion aspirations continue to fall short, he will have the b*lls to finally admit that he needs to take some much needed advice on how to run a successful football club.
I trust that those "TS lovers" out there will agree that the use of certain phrases or indeed words, will only serve to widen the divide between fans that dare to have differing opinions.
Do you not maybe think there are some on the other side of this, who possibly feel the same the other way?
Explain, please.
Do you not think there are people who disagree with you and would like to lol some if the opposing views.
Also, from a neutral pov, there's seem to be quite a few getting accused of being in TS' corner or standing with him, just for not jumping on the bandwagon and going for every anti rumour that does the rounds
Apologies for the somewhat tardy response, Gribbo.
However, having read through your post numerous times, I'm still scratching my old, silver head as to what you mean!
For clarity, if it's required, I responded to CE's well reasoned post (which perhaps you should re read ) which made some very pertinent points. Presumably you had no issues with that ?
Furthermore, my aim was then to illustrate how, when opposing views are posted, Lifers sometimes resort to unnecessary name calling, as in said poster is either a "TS lover" or "TS hater" which IMO is divisive and somewhat childish behaviour.
Is this what you have a problem with ?
I'm fully aware that my views are not universally popular & I would assume that everyone who has bothered to post their thoughts on this thread knows that they too speak as an individual ....but I feel strongly that labels are a distraction and totally unnecessary.
For my part, I wouldn't claim to be a lover or a hater IYKWIM but I DO have opinions and reserve the right to air them on this forum.
So, to finally address your question, yes, I KNOW there are people who disagree with me & as such are free to lol any old posts of their choice. Where have I stated otherwise ?
RSVP,
Misunderstood of Wadhurst ( aka Fanny is Innocent ! OK ?) . x
I've been supporting this club for about 56 years. I think I've seen 7 promotions and 8 relegations. I've been there in the good times. I've been there in the bad times. So I believe I'm entitled to my opinion.
We will never be successful under Sandgaard. He will be gone by this time next year.
We succeeded ( got promotion ) under Roland but you don’t think we will/can succeed under TS? I like the way we’re going around our business this year with a clear plan, will it work who knows but I certainly wouldn’t rule out a successful season especially after another 4/5 signings.
I've been supporting this club for about 56 years. I think I've seen 7 promotions and 8 relegations. I've been there in the good times. I've been there in the bad times. So I believe I'm entitled to my opinion.
We will never be successful under Sandgaard. He will be gone by this time next year.
We succeeded ( got promotion ) under Roland but you don’t think we will/can succeed under TS? I like the way we’re going around our business this year with a clear plan, will it work who knows but I certainly wouldn’t rule out a successful season especially after another 4/5 signings.
League two players and youngsters straight out of the academy = Lower mid table unfortunately.
If it was that simple then Watson and Gunter would have been our best players in the last couple of years rather than some of the worst.
It’s not a good enough squad - I don’t like that and I hope I’m wrong, however there’s a reason these players in their mid 20s are in league two and without some better quality players I can’t see how we can realistically expect to compete. Signing six academy players is a pretty clear indication of the approach now being taken. Add in some of the notes of caution being sounded about further recruitment and it seems likely we won’t see many further additions. And loans, if we get good loans, can and will be recalled.
I've been supporting this club for about 56 years. I think I've seen 7 promotions and 8 relegations. I've been there in the good times. I've been there in the bad times. So I believe I'm entitled to my opinion.
We will never be successful under Sandgaard. He will be gone by this time next year.
We succeeded ( got promotion ) under Roland but you don’t think we will/can succeed under TS? I like the way we’re going around our business this year with a clear plan, will it work who knows but I certainly wouldn’t rule out a successful season especially after another 4/5 signings.
I've been supporting this club for about 56 years. I think I've seen 7 promotions and 8 relegations. I've been there in the good times. I've been there in the bad times. So I believe I'm entitled to my opinion.
We will never be successful under Sandgaard. He will be gone by this time next year.
We succeeded ( got promotion ) under Roland but you don’t think we will/can succeed under TS? I like the way we’re going around our business this year with a clear plan, will it work who knows but I certainly wouldn’t rule out a successful season especially after another 4/5 signings.
4 or 5 signings........................righto
Can’t remember the last time we didn’t use our quota of loan signings and I expect this season to be no different so that’s a possible 4 straight away, without any permanents which I expect.
League two players and youngsters straight out of the academy = Lower mid table unfortunately.
If it was that simple then Watson and Gunter would have been our best players in the last couple of years rather than some of the worst.
It’s not a good enough squad - I don’t like that and I hope I’m wrong, however there’s a reason these players in their mid 20s are in league two and without some better quality players I can’t see how we can realistically expect to compete. Signing six academy players is a pretty clear indication of the approach now being taken. Add in some of the notes of caution being sounded about further recruitment and it seems likely we won’t see many further additions. And loans, if we get good loans, can and will be recalled.
I think lower mid table unfortunately
Wow you’re full of the joys of spring!!🤣, has there been something released saying we are not going to make anymore signings?, I missed it.
League two players and youngsters straight out of the academy = Lower mid table unfortunately.
If it was that simple then Watson and Gunter would have been our best players in the last couple of years rather than some of the worst.
It’s not a good enough squad - I don’t like that and I hope I’m wrong, however there’s a reason these players in their mid 20s are in league two and without some better quality players I can’t see how we can realistically expect to compete. Signing six academy players is a pretty clear indication of the approach now being taken. Add in some of the notes of caution being sounded about further recruitment and it seems likely we won’t see many further additions. And loans, if we get good loans, can and will be recalled.
I think lower mid table unfortunately
Wow you’re full of the joys of spring!!🤣, has there been something released saying we are not going to make anymore signings?, I missed it.
And believe it or not I’m an very much an optimist by nature! Charlton in league one kinda grinds it out of you…….
I’ve seen a few reports on newsnow that seem to be tempering expectations
League two players and youngsters straight out of the academy = Lower mid table unfortunately.
If it was that simple then Watson and Gunter would have been our best players in the last couple of years rather than some of the worst.
It’s not a good enough squad - I don’t like that and I hope I’m wrong, however there’s a reason these players in their mid 20s are in league two and without some better quality players I can’t see how we can realistically expect to compete. Signing six academy players is a pretty clear indication of the approach now being taken. Add in some of the notes of caution being sounded about further recruitment and it seems likely we won’t see many further additions. And loans, if we get good loans, can and will be recalled.
I think lower mid table unfortunately
I guess it comes down to how you view the five signings, they're not going to sound impressive if you were hoping for bigger names from the Champ and L1. The market has changed in recent years, young standout L1 and L2 players are more often going to the Championship rather than the bigger L1 sides.
After that last few years I'm glad we're looking wider across L1 and L2 rather than going for names like Gunter, Watson etc. For me if we make the right additions before the window closes it should be a stronger squad than last season.
The six academy players signing up is largely irrelevant in terms of first team plans, four of them signed 1 year deals. We've had a fairly large u23 squad for several years, and last season u18s team was one of the strongest in recent years.
Loans can only be recalled in January so that gives you half a season and the opportunity to replace anyone recalled. The majority of the league will have several loanees, it's the nature of running a club at this level.
Bearing in mind that TS has been "bigging up" Miles ( as if he needs it !) we can only hope that he would refuse any offers that might come in for our lad in order to help balance the books....
Are you genuinely concerned Leaburn could be sold this summer?
League two players and youngsters straight out of the academy = Lower mid table unfortunately.
If it was that simple then Watson and Gunter would have been our best players in the last couple of years rather than some of the worst.
It’s not a good enough squad - I don’t like that and I hope I’m wrong, however there’s a reason these players in their mid 20s are in league two and without some better quality players I can’t see how we can realistically expect to compete. Signing six academy players is a pretty clear indication of the approach now being taken. Add in some of the notes of caution being sounded about further recruitment and it seems likely we won’t see many further additions. And loans, if we get good loans, can and will be recalled.
I think lower mid table unfortunately
Wow you’re full of the joys of spring!!🤣, has there been something released saying we are not going to make anymore signings?, I missed it.
And believe it or not I’m an very much an optimist by nature! Charlton in league one kinda grinds it out of you…….
I’ve seen a few reports on newsnow that seem to be tempering expectations
Unfortunately Charlton in div 3, is not an unusual experience in my lifetime!!🤣, I think the fact that things have been kept under the radar should hopefully give us hope and wait and see where we are once the season starts. Not many rumours have come to fruition whether good or bad, so nobody knows what’s really going on. It suits people that are keen on a bit of a moan at the moment. Now if nothing does happen by game 1, I’ll be having a moan, but then I would have reason.
Bearing in mind that TS has been "bigging up" Miles ( as if he needs it !) we can only hope that he would refuse any offers that might come in for our lad in order to help balance the books....
Are you genuinely concerned Leaburn could be sold this summer?
January maybe if he does breakthrough
That's possible I agree. This summer seems unlikely given he's not even made his debut yet. It made me wonder if there was more to FF's comment.
Thomas and Raelynn have spent much time here during the last month, an indication that we're top of their list of priorities at present, as we should be. I'm sure more signings will follow, but not when or if fees will be involved.
So I'm still cutting our ALLEGEDLY skint penny pinching meanie owners (bottled water anyone?😎) some slack, whatever they're up to behind the scenes.
I do think they'll still be here next season because I've seen nothing other than reams of idle gossip to suggest they won't be, although I'm also sure they won't continue to incur sizeable losses year on year indefinitely.
If we dont get a decent striker in for this season, I fear we will struggle like last year and offer no challenge for promotion out of this league.
Sorry for sounding so negative but this is such an obvious weakness.
I find it hard to believe that Thomas thinks the current strikeforce is good enough to carry us through. I fully realise and approve he is keeping a tight grip on expenses but we are a football club and results remain the priority for all of us who have Charlton blood flowing through our veins.
Its unrealistic and unfair to expect the likes of Kanu and Leburn (as good as they are) to rescue us when we lose our existing strikers to injury and suspensions.
Another season like the last one would be a hammer blow and very damaging to all concerned.
If we dont get a decent striker in for this season, I fear we will struggle like last year and offer no challenge for promotion out of this league.
Sorry for sounding so negative but this is such an obvious weakness.
I find it hard to believe that Thomas thinks the current strikeforce is good enough to carry us through. I fully realise and approve he is keeping a tight grip on expenses but we are a football club and results remain the priority for all of us who have Charlton blood flowing through our veins.
Its unrealistic and unfair to expect the likes of Kanu and Leburn (as good as they are) to rescue us when we lose our existing strikers to injury and suspensions.
Another season like the last one would be a hammer blow and very damaging to all concerned.
TS knows we need another striker/winger to bring the goals needed to get us out of this league.
90% of the articles he posts via Cawley have an agenda behind them vs being the truth I.e.
1. “We have Leaburn so we don’t need a striker” means we need a striker but we don’t want agents to think we do.
2. “We would listen to offers for Forster-Caskey but he is not transfer listed” means we’re not sure JFC can cut it after his injury and we’re open to moving him on.
3. “We’re not looking to sell Stockley unless the offer is huge” means Stockley is available if anyone (Sheff Weds at the time) wants to pay through the roof.
Comments
And we all know how that panned out. Papa Souare anyone ?
TS owns us for the right reasons, he wants to win matches.
At presant we are getting the on the pitch stuff wrong. How much this is down to him we don't know, but it costs him more money the more and how badly we get that part wrong.
The bloke does not deserve (or will get) any protests, but nor is it unreasonable for supporters to question why a club with our expectations/facilities/supporter base to be so low in the football pyramid.
At presant Charlton has been at this level since 2009 for far too long. To even have a chance as a going concern business we need to be in the league higher. That is not some sort of supporter entitlement, that is what TS as benefactor needs to ensure, otherwise he will be continually piling a load of money into an ailing business.
All the time he is the owner and doing what he is doing I will not walk away, but equally I will continue to ask questions on this forum and with any other supporters at games when we continue to struggle in Division 3
I think I've seen 7 promotions and 8 relegations.
I've been there in the good times.
I've been there in the bad times.
So I believe I'm entitled to my opinion.
We will never be successful under Sandgaard.
He will be gone by this time next year.
I believe you do have a line to him, many seem to. Iam not convinced he is cutting his cloth accordingly more than he has done previously. He has just changed priorities, cut backs in back office staff for example must have been counter balanced by more coaches for CAT1 and I personally think that is sensible.
However, having read through your post numerous times, I'm still scratching my old, silver head as to what you mean!
For clarity, if it's required, I responded to CE's well reasoned post (which perhaps you should re read ) which made some very pertinent points. Presumably you had no issues with that ?
Furthermore, my aim was then to illustrate how, when opposing views are posted, Lifers sometimes resort to unnecessary name calling, as in said poster is either a "TS lover" or "TS hater" which IMO is divisive and somewhat childish behaviour.
Is this what you have a problem with ?
I'm fully aware that my views are not universally popular & I would assume that everyone who has bothered to post their thoughts on this thread knows that they too speak as an individual ....but I feel strongly that labels are a distraction and totally unnecessary.
For my part, I wouldn't claim to be a lover or a hater IYKWIM but I DO have opinions and reserve the right to air them on this forum.
So, to finally address your question, yes, I KNOW there are people who disagree with me & as such are free to lol any old posts of their choice. Where have I stated otherwise ?
RSVP,
Misunderstood of Wadhurst ( aka Fanny is Innocent ! OK ?) .
x
Let's hope so.
I think lower mid table unfortunately
I’ve seen a few reports on newsnow that seem to be tempering expectations
After that last few years I'm glad we're looking wider across L1 and L2 rather than going for names like Gunter, Watson etc. For me if we make the right additions before the window closes it should be a stronger squad than last season.
The six academy players signing up is largely irrelevant in terms of first team plans, four of them signed 1 year deals. We've had a fairly large u23 squad for several years, and last season u18s team was one of the strongest in recent years.
Loans can only be recalled in January so that gives you half a season and the opportunity to replace anyone recalled. The majority of the league will have several loanees, it's the nature of running a club at this level.
So I'm still cutting our ALLEGEDLY skint penny pinching meanie owners (bottled water anyone?😎) some slack, whatever they're up to behind the scenes.
I do think they'll still be here next season because I've seen nothing other than reams of idle gossip to suggest they won't be, although I'm also sure they won't continue to incur sizeable losses year on year indefinitely.
Sorry for sounding so negative but this is such an obvious weakness.
I find it hard to believe that Thomas thinks the current strikeforce is good enough to carry us through.
I fully realise and approve he is keeping a tight grip on expenses but we are a football club and results remain the priority for all of us who have Charlton blood flowing through our veins.
Its unrealistic and unfair to expect the likes of Kanu and Leburn (as good as they are) to rescue us when we lose our existing strikers to injury and suspensions.
Another season like the last one would be a hammer blow and very damaging to all concerned.
£163k donation from Valley Gold means more than £1m came from Thomas and/or the mystery loan that some folks have talked about.
https://www.charltonafc.com/news/view/62ab037e6db29/the-role-of-valley-gold-in-the-clubs-training-ground-development
90% of the articles he posts via Cawley have an agenda behind them vs being the truth I.e.
1. “We have Leaburn so we don’t need a striker” means we need a striker but we don’t want agents to think we do.
2. “We would listen to offers for Forster-Caskey but he is not transfer listed” means we’re not sure JFC can cut it after his injury and we’re open to moving him on.
3. “We’re not looking to sell Stockley unless the offer is huge” means Stockley is available if anyone (Sheff Weds at the time) wants to pay through the roof.