No-one has said this yet, not ITK but we need a keeper, and Hylton could be bought in as a coach / emergency striker (my source - every other frickin’ post on this thread). Plus we need a playmaker. Also, Dobbo is going nowhere. Shut this thread down.
What it Is I think for the first time in a long time a balanced
squad fit for how the manager wants to play. You can see its what Jones wants athletic,
physical, hard working etc.
it’s maybe not a promotion squad on paper,
but you just don’t know how far the above qualities may take you.
What it Is I think for the first time in a long time a balanced
squad fit for how the manager wants to play. You can see its what Jones wants athletic,
physical, hard working etc.
it’s maybe not a promotion squad on paper,
but you just don’t know how far the above qualities may take you.
I would say that we can be more optimistic this pre-season than in a while, a very low bar having said that.
What it Is I think for the first time in a long time a balanced
squad fit for how the manager wants to play. You can see its what Jones wants athletic,
physical, hard working etc.
it’s maybe not a promotion squad on paper,
but you just don’t know how far the above qualities may take you.
It feels like we have an actual squad, as in they are a group who train and play together and actually get along rather than just 25 guys who just turn up every week for a bit of a kick about.
Jones was/had already done good work on that front last season but now he's picked the right characters and personalities to (hopefully) take it up a level.
I'd expect Bishop,Potts and a keeper as a minimum. Having all the loan slots available does give us options if late in the window someone of significant quality came up.
Out - Fraser, Isted,AMB,Edun, Ness, Asiimwe (loan)
I think Edun stays as midfield cover, and Asiimwe too, especially if Ramsay is used as an overlapping RCB.
One keeper out (Jones likes 3 keepers) leaving the other as backup alongside Mannion, behind a new keeper.
Ness will go surely as he's played no part in pre season but hasn't been mentioned as injured.
Fraser will be shifted along as his wages are high and his output is low.
Potts, Bishop, a keeper and if we get to the end of the window and pick up a couple of injuries I expect cover for that on loan, but that's about it.
Is it a promotion squad? Probably not, but hopefully it's a decent base to build upon in the next couple of windows
Edun is a real conundrum , started off as a CM at Fulham so it's not an alien position to him. Ironically Micky Apples made him a fullback at Lincoln. But if you have Small/Edwards and Potts that can all play left back then that makes things awkward.
Keepers are awkward especially third choice unless you're someone like a Lewis Ward who seems to go around the EFL being a perennial backup. Could see Isted being the more likely to go.
Feels like a strong base but I'd like a couple of finishing pieces that could just take it over the top.
What it Is I think for the first time in a long time a balanced
squad fit for how the manager wants to play. You can see its what Jones wants athletic,
physical, hard working etc.
it’s maybe not a promotion squad on paper,
but you just don’t know how far the above qualities may take you.
A big factor in where we finish we be how well the younger players do - if a few really push on it’ll make a huge difference. In Anderson, Kanu, Campbell, Zach Mitchell and Asiimwe we have players with the potential to do that, plus Leaburn if we can get and keep him fit.
i don't expect us to sign anymore other than those 3 on trial. Bishop, Hylton and Potts will conclude our business.
Plus a new keeper who i think will be where the bulk of the remaining
budget will go.
i'll be surprised to be honest. I think that was always the plan but i feel like our top 3 options have all made decisions on their futures, so are we really getting an upgrade?
We most likely will be, that's probably actually why it's taking longer. We missed out on the first choices but instead of a Sandgaard style signing for the sake of it we're looking further afield and holding fire to make sure we get someone who definitely IS an upgrade.
If we get right up to the season start and no new keeper, then I will be a bit more worried but at the moment I've seen enough in this window that I feel like lessons have been learned and things are still going well.
I'd be interested to know what you mean by further afield as under Sandgaard and when SG was at the club, we literally scouted England and Scotland, nowhere else. So i'd be happy and also surprised to see us get anyone outside of the EFL/SFL.
i don't expect us to sign anymore other than those 3 on trial. Bishop, Hylton and Potts will conclude our business.
Plus a new keeper who i think will be where the bulk of the remaining
budget will go.
i'll be surprised to be honest. I think that was always the plan but i feel like our top 3 options have all made decisions on their futures, so are we really getting an upgrade?
We most likely will be, that's probably actually why it's taking longer. We missed out on the first choices but instead of a Sandgaard style signing for the sake of it we're looking further afield and holding fire to make sure we get someone who definitely IS an upgrade.
If we get right up to the season start and no new keeper, then I will be a bit more worried but at the moment I've seen enough in this window that I feel like lessons have been learned and things are still going well.
I'd be interested to know what you mean by further afield as under Sandgaard and when SG was at the club, we literally scouted England and Scotland, nowhere else. So i'd be happy and also surprised to see us get anyone outside of the EFL/SFL.
Well I'm not remotely ITK so no idea what the plans actually are - but the likes of Ruddy and Davies were fairly big names as far as keepers go, even fairly casual fans were likely to recognise the names if they signed.
Instead we've got to start looking at maybe lesser known names, probably going to end up with someone most of us won't know much about (but will have very strong opinions about anyway )
Regarding Nathan Baxter, and whether he'd come to Charlton - I can safely say he'd be interested in theory. As has been pointed out, he's local, and given a lot of us who played cricket with him are CAFC fans, there's an affinity there in some respects.
But it almost certainly wouldn't be this summer. He's at a side that so nearly were promoted last season, with a manager who is playing football in such a way that Nathan can continue to develop his game, and he's liking the dressing room and club feel there. Why would he move to what is evidently more of a "project" this summer?
Regarding Nathan Baxter, and whether he'd come to Charlton - I can safely say he'd be interested in theory. As has been pointed out, he's local, and given a lot of us who played cricket with him are CAFC fans, there's an affinity there in some respects.
But it almost certainly wouldn't be this summer. He's at a side that so nearly were promoted last season, with a manager who is playing football in such a way that Nathan can continue to develop his game, and he's liking the dressing room and club feel there. Why would he move to what is evidently more of a "project" this summer?
I think some players are attracted to a project and being in on it from the start must be hugely satisfying. Nathan Jones has also been successful with a similar project at Luton. I'd also add that he joined Bolton for a project that seems to have stalled a bit.
If I were him I'd probably still wait a year though. If he has a good season you'd imagine he'll be in the Championship for 25/26, whether that is with Bolton or someone who would take him on a free. Never know, that might be us.
And most of last season's defence still in place. Ramsay, Watson, Asiimwe Jones, Ness, REG, Gilly, Small, Edun. Only newcomers are Alex and Edwards, possibly Potts .
Personally I think Mitchell and a decent keeper who commands the box will make a difference, but question marks must hang over several. Is there a stat for individual errors?
i think from the keepers who we have a realistic chance of getting, Baxter is a good shout. I'd also throw George Long into that mix, along with Mitov our ex YT player currently in Scotland. Outside of those, i genuinely don't know or can't remember seeing a keeper that hasn't already moved that i'd want.
And most of last season's defence still in place. Ramsay, Watson, Asiimwe Jones, Ness, REG, Gilly, Small, Edun. Only newcomers are Alex and Edwards, possibly Potts .
Personally I think Mitchell and a decent keeper who commands the box will make a difference, but question marks must hang over several. Is there a stat for individual errors?
Half of those players came in after January and we were better and looked like conceding less, add Mitchell, Potts and a new keeper and I think it’s looking pretty strong.
Comments
What it Is I think for the first time in a long time a balanced squad fit for how the manager wants to play. You can see its what Jones wants athletic, physical, hard working etc.
it’s maybe not a promotion squad on paper, but you just don’t know how far the above qualities may take you.
I would say that we can be more optimistic this pre-season than in a while, a very low bar having said that.
Jones was/had already done good work on that front last season but now he's picked the right characters and personalities to (hopefully) take it up a level.
Edun is a real conundrum , started off as a CM at Fulham so it's not an alien position to him. Ironically Micky Apples made him a fullback at Lincoln. But if you have Small/Edwards and Potts that can all play left back then that makes things awkward.
Keepers are awkward especially third choice unless you're someone like a Lewis Ward who seems to go around the EFL being a perennial backup. Could see Isted being the more likely to go.
Feels like a strong base but I'd like a couple of finishing pieces that could just take it over the top.
Instead we've got to start looking at maybe lesser known names, probably going to end up with someone most of us won't know much about (but will have very strong opinions about anyway
But it almost certainly wouldn't be this summer. He's at a side that so nearly were promoted last season, with a manager who is playing football in such a way that Nathan can continue to develop his game, and he's liking the dressing room and club feel there. Why would he move to what is evidently more of a "project" this summer?
If I were him I'd probably still wait a year though. If he has a good season you'd imagine he'll be in the Championship for 25/26, whether that is with Bolton or someone who would take him on a free. Never know, that might be us.
Personally I think Mitchell and a decent keeper who commands the box will make a difference, but question marks must hang over several. Is there a stat for individual errors?