Ten players out of contract at end of this season

We're not going to be successful with a team of overpaid PrimaDonnas, however talented they may be.
Like Curbs before him, it's not Bowyer's way of team building.

ESI said they have a "5-year plan" to get into the Premier League, that progress is intended to be gradual and transitional.

I reckon we can expect to see the nucleus of the current team retained - and attempts made to sign a couple of the loanees who have impressed; plus Lyle, of course. We'll add to that with an 'upgrade' of several new signings, maybe even the legendary 'Marquee' signing?

We know Bows by now ....... he'll look to retain the 'togetherness' of the group; new signings need to meet that ethos and be of the right character - remember, Bows looks to recruit 'winners' who'll give him 100% for 90 minutes, if required.

Expect players with a good 1st touch, comfortable on the ball, hungry to prove themselves.
He'll want youthful energy with pace; and steady seasoned pros for their experience.

Rumour has it despite our 19th position right now, Bows is still targeting the playoffs ...... (!)
That tells you that's the target next season.

And the team will be evolved with that in mind.

Airman Brown said:

Scoham said:

@Airman Brown in what way are they trying to raise funds? For example there’s a big difference between trying to attract new investors compared to attempting to increase crowds, bring in more and bigger sponsors etc.

Both. Some people previously interested in buying the club have been approached to see if they are still interested in becoming involved.

  Who's that then?

Airman Brown said:

Scoham said:

@Airman Brown in what way are they trying to raise funds? For example there’s a big difference between trying to attract new investors compared to attempting to increase crowds, bring in more and bigger sponsors etc.

Both. Some people previously interested in buying the club have been approached to see if they are still interested in becoming involved.

so basically risk spreading.

hoof_it_up_to_benty said:

Williams is not a game changer like Lyle Taylor.

Jonny Williams isn't a goal scorer like Taylor but is a game changer.
When Jonny came on at Wembley the game was in limbo with no one on top.
After Jonny had been on for 5 minutes and 5 fouls on him we were on the front foot again.
I want Williams to get the ball on the edge of our opponents area not on the half way line.

Both Jonny himself and Bowyer know his Body is injury proned but even in a cameo role he must be worth keeping.

What I would like to see ideally is us getting a few wins reasonably quickly so we know pretty much we will be in this division next year, then see efforts to tie the players Bowyer wants to keep up before the window opens. In terms of ESI I know I was delighted when they took over, I was bemused at the promises from Southall and failure to deliver on those IMO in the window and finding out they haven't fully purchased the club yet. The window hasn't convinced me of them but signing Bowyer up re-assures me a bit as I think he must be happy with what they have told him.

I moaned a lot during the window, but there is little point moaning now.  We have to see what happens and react to that, but I am anticipating some frustrating times over the summer more than expecting them to be straightforward. Maybe becuase I am a glass half full person, but I am not normally. maybe I am when it comes to Charlton! Anyway, lets all hope we have positive after positive concerning ESI over the coming months.

In terms of being play off contenders - having seen play off contenders, I don't think we need that much. Just a decent squad. I know they are not play off contenders but watching Sheff Wednesday last night, I thought they were beyond rubbish.

First things first - the team needs to win enough points to ensure our place in this league next season.  Mathematically, that could be any time from mid March onwards. As soon as that happens I can see no reason why ESI cannot move to renegotiate contracts with those we wish to retain as we push for promotion.

ESI have stated their aim is Premier League within 5 years.  And I doubt if their plans include then being relegated straight back to the Championship!  This means building a squad of, say, 20+ players who are definitely of top Championship standard, with the potential to form the basis of a decent Premier quality team, and who also have the sort of personal qualities which fit the Charlton ethos.

Some may already be in the team (how many & who?) or knocking on the door from the academy. 

Others will need to be brought in from other clubs, and we know Gallen and Bowyer have a good eye for talent, even when shopping in Lidl & Aldi.  Hopefully next summer they will be able to add some products from M&S and Waitrose!  Allowing for losing some good players along the way (eg offers too good to refuse, waning ability through age/injury, wanting to move away for personal reasons),  we could easily need to sign 6-8 new permanent players a year, plus loans. 

So maybe having 10 players out of contract at the end of this season is more of an opportunity than a threat - assuming, of course, our new owners have enough money put aside for reasonable transfer fees and sensible Championship wages to attract and retain the calibre of player needed to replace those leaving.  This remains to be seen (as indeed does the purchase of the freeholds, and the work on the facilities at the training ground).

ESI have stated their ambition is to get the club in the PL in 5 years, buy The Valley and training ground in 6 months, tie up Taylor, Jacko and Marshall to new contracts, plus acquire Cullen and Leko.  

So far they have acquired the club for nowt, lost the wages of Gallagher, Ledley, Kayal and Leko and replaced them with McGeady, Greene, Smith and Davis plus sign up Bowyer - I suspect a minor uptick to cost off set by a small incoming from Fosu sell on. 

Lots of exciting ambitions.  The only real stand out delivery being Bowyer

Interesting people seem relaxed about them supposedly still looking for outside investment but if it was the Aussies rather than a Middle Eastern chap then I suspect that there would be way more scepticism.

hoof_it_up_to_benty said:

soapboxsam said:

hoof_it_up_to_benty said:

Williams is not a game changer like Lyle Taylor.

Jonny Williams isn't a goal scorer like Taylor but is a game changer.
When Jonny came on at Wembley the game was in limbo with no one on top.
After Jonny had been on for 5 minutes and 5 fouls on him we were on the front foot again.
I want Williams to get the ball on the edge of our opponents area not on the half way line.

Both Jonny himself and Bowyer know his Body is injury proned but even in a cameo role he must be worth keeping.

Needs to do it on a regular basis and to deliver more. He is effectively a 'luxury' player who is maybe not what we need if funds are tight?

He has delivered, he’s joint top of our assists chart with 5 and usually look a better team with him on the pitch.

hoof_it_up_to_benty said:

soapboxsam said:

hoof_it_up_to_benty said:

Williams is not a game changer like Lyle Taylor.

Jonny Williams isn't a goal scorer like Taylor but is a game changer.
When Jonny came on at Wembley the game was in limbo with no one on top.
After Jonny had been on for 5 minutes and 5 fouls on him we were on the front foot again.
I want Williams to get the ball on the edge of our opponents area not on the half way line.

Both Jonny himself and Bowyer know his Body is injury proned but even in a cameo role he must be worth keeping.

Needs to do it on a regular basis and to deliver more. He is effectively a 'luxury' player who is maybe not what we need if funds are tight?

Williams is absolutely what we need. 

Okay, he's not a 'machine' like Cullen. He'd be playing perhaps Premier League if he was.
But that's why we can afford him.

Luxury player? Nope, he's an integral part of our game plan.  So what if he plays only 60 minutes? Oztumer is his other half and maybe McGeady is considered as part of the equation also. Bowyer rotates players anyway, that's the system chosen to get the best out of individual players for the benefit of the team performance. And each gameplan reflects that.

On top of that, the fella fits in, has bought into the ethos of the 'togetherness' of the squad - and on the pitch very much makes the team tick, unpredictable and able to unlock tight defences with a moment of magic. 

I hope he stays.

Scoham said:

hoof_it_up_to_benty said:

soapboxsam said:

hoof_it_up_to_benty said:

Williams is not a game changer like Lyle Taylor.

Jonny Williams isn't a goal scorer like Taylor but is a game changer.
When Jonny came on at Wembley the game was in limbo with no one on top.
After Jonny had been on for 5 minutes and 5 fouls on him we were on the front foot again.
I want Williams to get the ball on the edge of our opponents area not on the half way line.

Both Jonny himself and Bowyer know his Body is injury proned but even in a cameo role he must be worth keeping.

Needs to do it on a regular basis and to deliver more. He is effectively a 'luxury' player who is maybe not what we need if funds are tight?

He has delivered, he’s joint top of our assists chart with 5 and usually look a better team with him on the pitch.

I love watching him, but the stats aren't spectacular though.

I know he's described himself as someone who tends to set up the assister, but a creative midfielder like Williams does need to contribute more goals and assists. Gallagher had only one fewer assist, but also delivered 6 goals. 

I don't know why he doesn't score more goals, it's as if he feels his role in the team isn't to drive into the box, but to play passes from the edge of it. 3 league goals in 151 appearances is a meagre return for someone of his talent.

cafcfan1990 said:

JamesSeed said:

cafcfan1990 said:

Airman Brown said:

Rothko said:

Williams will be an interesting one, will he suddenly want the kind of money he used to be on now the club isn't skint, and does his injury record command that kind of money 

Evidence?

Have a day off 

?? This is really interesting stuff.

Not surprised you think so, given this is leading to rumours the Aussies could be back! 

I suspect Muir was approached before the takeover was announced, which is why he suddenly attended the Preston game. He'd already tried to link up with other buyers. This isn't about the Aussies though. It's a group not on anyone's radar in 2019.

Oggy Red said:

hoof_it_up_to_benty said:

soapboxsam said:

hoof_it_up_to_benty said:

Williams is not a game changer like Lyle Taylor.

Jonny Williams isn't a goal scorer like Taylor but is a game changer.
When Jonny came on at Wembley the game was in limbo with no one on top.
After Jonny had been on for 5 minutes and 5 fouls on him we were on the front foot again.
I want Williams to get the ball on the edge of our opponents area not on the half way line.

Both Jonny himself and Bowyer know his Body is injury proned but even in a cameo role he must be worth keeping.

Needs to do it on a regular basis and to deliver more. He is effectively a 'luxury' player who is maybe not what we need if funds are tight?

Williams is absolutely what we need. 

Okay, he's not a 'machine' like Cullen. He'd be playing perhaps Premier League if he was.
But that's why we can afford him.

Luxury player? Nope, he's an integral part of our game plan.  So what if he plays only 60 minutes? Oztumer is his other half and maybe McGeady is considered as part of the equation also. Bowyer rotates players anyway, that's the system chosen to get the best out of individual players for the benefit of the team performance. And each gameplan reflects that.

On top of that, the fella fits in, has bought into the ethos of the 'togetherness' of the squad - and on the pitch very much makes the team tick, unpredictable and able to unlock tight defences with a moment of magic. 

I hope he stays.

I like Williams but I don't think he's as effective or good as some are making out. Not convinced by his injury record.

killerandflash said:

Scoham said:

hoof_it_up_to_benty said:

soapboxsam said:

hoof_it_up_to_benty said:

Williams is not a game changer like Lyle Taylor.

Jonny Williams isn't a goal scorer like Taylor but is a game changer.
When Jonny came on at Wembley the game was in limbo with no one on top.
After Jonny had been on for 5 minutes and 5 fouls on him we were on the front foot again.
I want Williams to get the ball on the edge of our opponents area not on the half way line.

Both Jonny himself and Bowyer know his Body is injury proned but even in a cameo role he must be worth keeping.

Needs to do it on a regular basis and to deliver more. He is effectively a 'luxury' player who is maybe not what we need if funds are tight?

He has delivered, he’s joint top of our assists chart with 5 and usually look a better team with him on the pitch.

I love watching him, but the stats aren't spectacular though.

I know he's described himself as someone who tends to set up the assister, but a creative midfielder like Williams does need to contribute more goals and assists. Gallagher had only one fewer assist, but also delivered 6 goals. 

I don't know why he doesn't score more goals, it's as if he feels his role in the team isn't to drive into the box, but to play passes from the edge of it. 3 league goals in 151 appearances is a meagre return for someone of his talent.

You seem to be just looking at stats though. They rarely tell the whole story.

He might not get credited with the assist or score goals - but he invariably plays a key role in most of our attacking play.
Remember how the team performed recently when Williams was injured? We're generally much more creative and effective with Williams in it.

Airman Brown said:

cafcfan1990 said:

JamesSeed said:

cafcfan1990 said:

Airman Brown said:

Rothko said:

Williams will be an interesting one, will he suddenly want the kind of money he used to be on now the club isn't skint, and does his injury record command that kind of money 

Evidence?

Have a day off 

?? This is really interesting stuff.

Not surprised you think so, given this is leading to rumours the Aussies could be back! 

I suspect Muir was approached before the takeover was announced, which is why he suddenly attended the Preston game. He'd already tried to link up with other buyers. This isn't about the Aussies though. It's a group not on anyone's radar in 2019.

And that group is who?

Airman Brown said:

Henry Irving said:

Airman Brown said:

cafcfan1990 said:

JamesSeed said:

cafcfan1990 said:

Airman Brown said:

Rothko said:

Williams will be an interesting one, will he suddenly want the kind of money he used to be on now the club isn't skint, and does his injury record command that kind of money 

Evidence?

Have a day off 

?? This is really interesting stuff.

Not surprised you think so, given this is leading to rumours the Aussies could be back! 

I suspect Muir was approached before the takeover was announced, which is why he suddenly attended the Preston game. He'd already tried to link up with other buyers. This isn't about the Aussies though. It's a group not on anyone's radar in 2019.

And that group is who?

Swiss.

 Didn't the Sebastian Sainsbury bid have some sort of Swiss connotation?