Did anyone think it would be bargain basement frees and loans until the takeover is completed? I thought we were told that we weren't interested in him, or that Gillingham would steal him out from under our noses, but I don't think his signing is anything to be sniffed at. Who was the last player we paid a fee for and how long ago I wonder?
Good luck Alfie, you'd better hit the ground running or you'll be written off after your first game. No pressure!
As with any non-Charlton player at this level, I don’t know much about him and I have only seen him play against us (and wasn’t really paying attention to him at the time anyway). However, just looking at the stats, back to back 20 goal seasons in League One is quite rare as players tend to get promoted or sold to a higher level after one. At 30, I do worry he might have just gone through the purple patch of his career and we’re getting him on the wrong side of that. I don’t know if we’ll get 20+ out him for a third season running. However, his age might be why we’ve been able to get him and he hasn’t gone to the Championship. Not sure there were realistic better options out there so I suspect he’s a signing off the “a” list which has to be a positive. He’s joined the group fairly early too which is also good news.
The highlights reel is decent with a variety of types of goal, scored with both feet, and some sharp movement. And he does appear to be able to actually kick a ball hard and straight, a skill which has been mystifyingly absent from some of our attackers. At the very least, you’d have to hope he will replace the goals that JRS scored last season which was a big void to fill, so he’s a key signing in that sense.
I don’t know if he qualifies as a “statement of intent” but I hope this at least indicates some of our signings will be “best available” rather than “cheapest available”. Hard to get excited about anything Charlton these days, but this one certainly looks largely positive and nothing to be too cynical about (as long as Leaburn isn’t sold!).
Welcome Alfie, I hope you bang ‘em in left, right, and centre.
I know it’s widely known but the importance of Alfie really wanting to join Charlton over other clubs is I think very important. He’s going to feel at home very quickly and will I’m sure be relieved that he got the move he actually wanted rather than just a move which is probably the outcome of the majority of transfers. Point to prove at the club he probably thought he’d be at from a younger age. I can’t see a downside to this transfer. I hope we’re able to give him the partner he needs and deserves though.
Does this feel like a paul benson type signing? Lots of funfair and drawn out signing of lower league goalscorer, who we probably won't play to their strengths, all for 250k...
Know a couple of Gillingham fans who are very annoyed by this so on that basis a great signing before even scoring a goal!
Laughable that someone with a great scoring record in L1 would drop down a division to a non Wrexham L2 club anyway.
David McGoldrick scored 25 goals for Derby last season and dropped down to league 2 to sign for Notts County. Although he's done that because they're his hometown club and first ever team.
age 30, one season in the EFL after a long career mostly in non league .. IF he joins us, I pray he's not an Ajose or a Stockton flash in the pan type .. however, I have faith in Holden, and if he wants him, so be it
Comments
Good luck Alfie, you'd better hit the ground running or you'll be written off after your first game. No pressure!
The highlights reel is decent with a variety of types of goal, scored with both feet, and some sharp movement. And he does appear to be able to actually kick a ball hard and straight, a skill which has been mystifyingly absent from some of our attackers. At the very least, you’d have to hope he will replace the goals that JRS scored last season which was a big void to fill, so he’s a key signing in that sense.
I don’t know if he qualifies as a “statement of intent” but I hope this at least indicates some of our signings will be “best available” rather than “cheapest available”. Hard to get excited about anything Charlton these days, but this one certainly looks largely positive and nothing to be too cynical about (as long as Leaburn isn’t sold!).
Welcome Alfie, I hope you bang ‘em in left, right, and centre.
Welcome alfie
Why dont they leave us out of it, and hate each other?