2026 Pre-Season Thread - fixture list (1st post) - Reading MATCH THREAD Sat 2:15pm (p56)

soapboxsam

Fumbluff said:

Was gonna go to this one as it’s now nearby for me but all the bed wetting has convinced me I can’t be arsed instead

I wish you hadn't joined your local Apathy society 🤷🏻‍♂️

sam3110

golfaddick said:

Covered End said:

golfaddick said:

FishCostaFortune said:

golfaddick said:

killerandflash said:

MuttleyCAFC said:

It doesn't bother me that we lost. It was offensively we were toothless and players just wanted to make simple passes. You want a few clues that we might be able to score goals. Jones was not happy apprently, so fans are entitled not to be either.

A shame we didn't hear NJ after the game, as that would have been interesting, as NJ isn't someone who can hide is feelings.

Colchester tomorrow, it'll be interesting who plays, as you'd imagine the probable "starting 11" will play more minutes at Reading on Saturday.

I would like to think all 3 of the most recent signings get some game time tomorrow evening. If not then what's the point. We already have 4 or 5 injured players who don't look like starting the season......but we keep on signing players that arent fit.

I say every season (and get laughed at). Got to get players in for pre-season & certainly here for the intensive week away. 

You get laughed at because you make it sound as though you're the only one who's thought of it, and that it should be a given that it happens. 

It's obvious that getting all players in before the pre-season camp is the ideal scenario.

The reality, though, is that the transfer market rarely works like that. Every club would love to have their business done early, but negotiations, player decisions, and selling clubs' demands often make it impossible. 

Grant and McNamara were free agents......and probably were from about the 2nd week of May.  If we wanted them I'm sure they could have been had much earlier than last week. Which convinces me that both weren't on our "wishlist". 

The trouble is you live in football fantasy land, where you think Charlton ring a player up and he pops down and signs for us with little delay.  
Many fans (though not enough) understand the complexities, the negotiations, the personal and family issues and the fact that many players will wait towards the end of the window before making up their mind.

Yeah, like Ben Reeves did. I will never forget that saga and his (non) performances that season showed.

My negotiations to a player would be.....

Sign by the date pre-season starts = £x pa
Sign by the time players get back from training camp = £×-10% pa
Sign 2 weeks after this = £x-20%pa

Look forward to you forfeiting every fixture as you'll have precisely zero players

CAFCTrev

Tempted to go but its a ballache from Woolwich, £40 return on the train! That and the ground is a solid hour walk away from the station.  

RonnieMoore

Second eleven on Saturday expected to start and get 60 mins .. the others coming on for 30 mins .. so again mixed up sides. 

Sussex_Red

Surely we'll see some of the new signings. Be good to see Mwamba start, like the look of him

jonseventyfive

Comfortable home win. 4-0.

Oggy Red

golfaddick said:

FishCostaFortune said:

golfaddick said:

killerandflash said:

MuttleyCAFC said:

It doesn't bother me that we lost. It was offensively we were toothless and players just wanted to make simple passes. You want a few clues that we might be able to score goals. Jones was not happy apprently, so fans are entitled not to be either.

A shame we didn't hear NJ after the game, as that would have been interesting, as NJ isn't someone who can hide is feelings.

Colchester tomorrow, it'll be interesting who plays, as you'd imagine the probable "starting 11" will play more minutes at Reading on Saturday.

I would like to think all 3 of the most recent signings get some game time tomorrow evening. If not then what's the point. We already have 4 or 5 injured players who don't look like starting the season......but we keep on signing players that arent fit.

I say every season (and get laughed at). Got to get players in for pre-season & certainly here for the intensive week away. 

You get laughed at because you make it sound as though you're the only one who's thought of it, and that it should be a given that it happens. 

It's obvious that getting all players in before the pre-season camp is the ideal scenario.

The reality, though, is that the transfer market rarely works like that. Every club would love to have their business done early, but negotiations, player decisions, and selling clubs' demands often make it impossible. 

Grant and McNamara were free agents......and probably were from about the 2nd week of May.  If we wanted them I'm sure they could have been had much earlier than last week. Which convinces me that both weren't on our "wishlist". 

Maybe not on the 'A list' ....that list would contain the ideal or most ambitious - but availability, gazumped by wealthier or higher profile clubs, financial demands by a player or even personal reasons (family are settled elsewhere) etc.

They may not even want to move to London, with it's sky high house prices and living costs.

Then there's the ' B List' ....and probably many of our summer signings have been made from this list - but even then, there'll often be competition for their signature.

Plus the window opened later this year, the distraction of the World Cup, etc.

Players will often take their time to weigh up options and won't necessarily be ready to jump at the first contract offered - especially by a low budget club like Charlton.

I know, none of us have to worry about this playing 'Football Manager'

 

sillav nitram

Have we scored yet?

No! FFS, we're going down, nailed on!

golfaddick

Oggy Red said:

golfaddick said:

FishCostaFortune said:

golfaddick said:

killerandflash said:

MuttleyCAFC said:

It doesn't bother me that we lost. It was offensively we were toothless and players just wanted to make simple passes. You want a few clues that we might be able to score goals. Jones was not happy apprently, so fans are entitled not to be either.

A shame we didn't hear NJ after the game, as that would have been interesting, as NJ isn't someone who can hide is feelings.

Colchester tomorrow, it'll be interesting who plays, as you'd imagine the probable "starting 11" will play more minutes at Reading on Saturday.

I would like to think all 3 of the most recent signings get some game time tomorrow evening. If not then what's the point. We already have 4 or 5 injured players who don't look like starting the season......but we keep on signing players that arent fit.

I say every season (and get laughed at). Got to get players in for pre-season & certainly here for the intensive week away. 

You get laughed at because you make it sound as though you're the only one who's thought of it, and that it should be a given that it happens. 

It's obvious that getting all players in before the pre-season camp is the ideal scenario.

The reality, though, is that the transfer market rarely works like that. Every club would love to have their business done early, but negotiations, player decisions, and selling clubs' demands often make it impossible. 

Grant and McNamara were free agents......and probably were from about the 2nd week of May.  If we wanted them I'm sure they could have been had much earlier than last week. Which convinces me that both weren't on our "wishlist". 

Maybe not on the 'A list' ....that list would contain the ideal or most ambitious - but availability, gazumped by wealthier or higher profile clubs, financial demands by a player or even personal reasons (family are settled elsewhere) etc.

They may not even want to move to London, with it's sky high house prices and living costs.

Then there's the ' B List' ....and probably many of our summer signings have been made from this list - but even then, there'll often be competition for their signature.

Plus the window opened later this year, the distraction of the World Cup, etc.

Players will often take their time to weigh up options and won't necessarily be ready to jump at the first contract offered - especially by a low budget club like Charlton.

I know, none of us have to worry about this playing 'Football Manager'

 

Never played football manager in my life.

Oggy Red

golfaddick said:

Oggy Red said:

golfaddick said:

FishCostaFortune said:

golfaddick said:

killerandflash said:

MuttleyCAFC said:

It doesn't bother me that we lost. It was offensively we were toothless and players just wanted to make simple passes. You want a few clues that we might be able to score goals. Jones was not happy apprently, so fans are entitled not to be either.

A shame we didn't hear NJ after the game, as that would have been interesting, as NJ isn't someone who can hide is feelings.

Colchester tomorrow, it'll be interesting who plays, as you'd imagine the probable "starting 11" will play more minutes at Reading on Saturday.

I would like to think all 3 of the most recent signings get some game time tomorrow evening. If not then what's the point. We already have 4 or 5 injured players who don't look like starting the season......but we keep on signing players that arent fit.

I say every season (and get laughed at). Got to get players in for pre-season & certainly here for the intensive week away. 

You get laughed at because you make it sound as though you're the only one who's thought of it, and that it should be a given that it happens. 

It's obvious that getting all players in before the pre-season camp is the ideal scenario.

The reality, though, is that the transfer market rarely works like that. Every club would love to have their business done early, but negotiations, player decisions, and selling clubs' demands often make it impossible. 

Grant and McNamara were free agents......and probably were from about the 2nd week of May.  If we wanted them I'm sure they could have been had much earlier than last week. Which convinces me that both weren't on our "wishlist". 

Maybe not on the 'A list' ....that list would contain the ideal or most ambitious - but availability, gazumped by wealthier or higher profile clubs, financial demands by a player or even personal reasons (family are settled elsewhere) etc.

They may not even want to move to London, with it's sky high house prices and living costs.

Then there's the ' B List' ....and probably many of our summer signings have been made from this list - but even then, there'll often be competition for their signature.

Plus the window opened later this year, the distraction of the World Cup, etc.

Players will often take their time to weigh up options and won't necessarily be ready to jump at the first contract offered - especially by a low budget club like Charlton.

I know, none of us have to worry about this playing 'Football Manager'

 

Never played football manager in my life.

No, not have I 

But you only have to read some other posts - and realise that's how some posters seem to think that's how signing players is done

CAFCTrev

Took the plunge and I'm on the way to see the mighty Addicks! Havent seen any Charlton on the train though, slightly worried I’m the only one going.

fenaddick

Cawley saying McNamara, Grant and Mannion all there. Rumours thread saying we will have trialist Nathaniel Chalobah playing 

Oggy Red

CAFCTrev said:

Took the plunge and I'm on the way to see the mighty Addicks! Havent seen any Charlton on the train though, slightly worried I’m the only one going.

Maybe the game is tomorrow?

No, not really, everyone else is paying a tenner to watch it on Charlton TV

Rock Spectacle

Bet the medical department are looking forward to plenty of overtime then 

RonnieMoore

The only important thing again is no injures .. score don’t matter… two different teams two different systems .. giving nothing away and rightly so 

sam3110

If the season started tonight, who's everyone's first XI as it stands? Taking into account current fitness levels and injuries?

Kaminski 
Ramsay Jones Bell Mesík 
Docherty Coventry 
Grant Carey Campbell 
Godden

Brooks, McNamara, Koumetio, Enslin, Rankin-Costello, Knibbs, Fullah, Olaofe, Leaburn 

Obviously I'd rather have Kelman, Alli, Sichenje, Apter, Mannion and Edwards all involved somewhere, plus 3 new faces at a minimum 

sam3110

fenaddick

.

fenaddick

So that is


Mannion
Ramsay Gough Koumetio Mesík
Chalobah Mwamba
Olaofe Knibbs Grant
Godden

Scoham

Another Lisbie son Colchester bench and Jack Payne starts against.

sam3110

Mannion 
Ramsay Gough Koumetio Mesík 
Mwamba Trialist
Grant Kniibs Olaofe
Godden

Brooks
McNamara Jones Burke Bell
Rankin-Costello Coventry 
Fullah Carey Campbell 
Leaburn

I assume, with Asiimwe and Kanu the odd ones out.

Still no Apter, Sichenje, Edwards or Kelman but also no Docherty, Alli or Kaminski. 

Crispywood

sam3110 said:

Mannion 
Ramsay Gough Koumetio Mesík 
Mwamba Trialist
Grant Kniibs Olaofe
Godden

Brooks
McNamara Jones Burke Bell
Rankin-Costello Coventry 
Fullah Carey Campbell 
Leaburn

I assume, with Asiimwe and Kanu the odd ones out.

Still no Apter, Sichenje, Edwards or Kelman but also no Docherty, Alli or Kaminski. 

Apter Sichenje Edwards Kelman obviously injured., Alli just signed but Doc and Kaminski could be interesting ones why they’ve missed out 

fenaddick

Crispywood said:

sam3110 said:

Mannion 
Ramsay Gough Koumetio Mesík 
Mwamba Trialist
Grant Kniibs Olaofe
Godden

Brooks
McNamara Jones Burke Bell
Rankin-Costello Coventry 
Fullah Carey Campbell 
Leaburn

I assume, with Asiimwe and Kanu the odd ones out.

Still no Apter, Sichenje, Edwards or Kelman but also no Docherty, Alli or Kaminski. 

Apter Sichenje Edwards Kelman obviously injured., Alli just signed but Doc and Kaminski could be interesting ones why they’ve missed out 

Suspect Doc is just being returned slowly 

allezallezallez

Is that a squad number reveal as well?

sam3110

allezallezallez said:

Is that a squad number reveal as well?

Most of them have worn these numbers throughout pre-season. Only ones that have changed are Mesík has worn 20 all the time but now Anderson has gone has switched to 18, which surprised me as I though Grant would snap that up.

Koumetio has worn 12 every game, Knibbs seems to have taken Berry's number 8, and Burke has worn 4 every appearance so far too. 

Of course some of it will just be whatever number is available at the time and what we had printed out, I think Redmond wore Docherty's 10 in the games he featured in for example, and now A Trialist is in 30 which is what Apter wore against Dartford

thenewbie

allezallezallez said:

Is that a squad number reveal as well?

Unlikely to be given we dont know who is yet to come or go

TD_Addick

Nathaniel Chalobah defenisve midfielder played 13 times for Sheffield wednesday last season scoring twice. 

RonnieMoore

Crispywood said:

sam3110 said:

Mannion 
Ramsay Gough Koumetio Mesík 
Mwamba Trialist
Grant Kniibs Olaofe
Godden

Brooks
McNamara Jones Burke Bell
Rankin-Costello Coventry 
Fullah Carey Campbell 
Leaburn

I assume, with Asiimwe and Kanu the odd ones out.

Still no Apter, Sichenje, Edwards or Kelman but also no Docherty, Alli or Kaminski. 

Apter Sichenje Edwards Kelman obviously injured., Alli just signed but Doc and Kaminski could be interesting ones why they’ve missed out 

Doc just come back from surgery so having a rest , Same as Kaminski played Saturday .. Mannion missed last two games comes in .. no
big stories 

NabySarr

sam3110 said:

If the season started tonight, who's everyone's first XI as it stands? Taking into account current fitness levels and injuries?

Kaminski 
Ramsay Jones Bell Mesík 
Docherty Coventry 
Grant Carey Campbell 
Godden

Brooks, McNamara, Koumetio, Enslin, Rankin-Costello, Knibbs, Fullah, Olaofe, Leaburn 

Obviously I'd rather have Kelman, Alli, Sichenje, Apter, Mannion and Edwards all involved somewhere, plus 3 new faces at a minimum 

Koumetio will start over Bell if it’s a back 4. Bell is more likely to play left back in this setup

I don’t think Godden will be starting that many games. Especially if we are playing 1 up top now, he probably won’t be able to press in the way that Jones will want. I see him more as an impact sub this season, and maybe starting the odd game 

NabySarr

Crispywood said:

sam3110 said:

Mannion 
Ramsay Gough Koumetio Mesík 
Mwamba Trialist
Grant Kniibs Olaofe
Godden

Brooks
McNamara Jones Burke Bell
Rankin-Costello Coventry 
Fullah Carey Campbell 
Leaburn

I assume, with Asiimwe and Kanu the odd ones out.

Still no Apter, Sichenje, Edwards or Kelman but also no Docherty, Alli or Kaminski. 

Apter Sichenje Edwards Kelman obviously injured., Alli just signed but Doc and Kaminski could be interesting ones why they’ve missed out 

Jones said he rotates the 3 keepers almost equally in pre-season. Kaminski will be back in for Saturday I’m pretty sure