They kept an overseas trip for the U21 squad quiet. I imagine Enslin will be slightly jealous that he's not over in the Netherlands, instead of just sitting in the stands tonight.
Game is in Rotterdam which makes it less likely Dixon/Enslin are involved tonight I think
What's the thought process there mate?
Suggests to me they were needed at SL for training/injury cover for however many days the U21s are away. We have a very slim senior squad now and if someone like TC went down with an injury I suspect one of them might make the bench. If the game was at SL then we'd already know of any injuries before the game starts, if they've been in Rotterdam for a day or two already it would be harder to get them back in time
Sad that we are poaching the best talent from minor foreign clubs in obscure football outposts like the Netherlands rather than tapping into our local talent base
Looks like from JPs Instagram they've been at AZ Alkmaar as well.
With Andy Hunt and Charlie Methven too
If memory serves, it is AZ Alkmaar that Andy works for.
Their academy is truly awe inspiring. If you get to their U16 squad you have a 58% chance of becoming a professional footballer. And somewhere between 40-50% of minutes played by the first team were played by products of their own club.
Game is in Rotterdam which makes it less likely Dixon/Enslin are involved tonight I think
What's the thought process there mate?
Suggests to me they were needed at SL for training/injury cover for however many days the U21s are away. We have a very slim senior squad now and if someone like TC went down with an injury I suspect one of them might make the bench. If the game was at SL then we'd already know of any injuries before the game starts, if they've been in Rotterdam for a day or two already it would be harder to get them back in time
Is it not a consideration about Dixon needing a VISA and depending on the time factor in arranging this friendly, perhaps a VISA was not able to be generated in time ?
Game is in Rotterdam which makes it less likely Dixon/Enslin are involved tonight I think
What's the thought process there mate?
Suggests to me they were needed at SL for training/injury cover for however many days the U21s are away. We have a very slim senior squad now and if someone like TC went down with an injury I suspect one of them might make the bench. If the game was at SL then we'd already know of any injuries before the game starts, if they've been in Rotterdam for a day or two already it would be harder to get them back in time
Is it not a consideration about Dixon needing a VISA and depending on the time factor in arranging this friendly, perhaps a VISA was not able to be generated in time.
That would assume that the friendly was unplanned which seems unlikely and doesn't explain Enslin not going
Game is in Rotterdam which makes it less likely Dixon/Enslin are involved tonight I think
What's the thought process there mate?
Suggests to me they were needed at SL for training/injury cover for however many days the U21s are away. We have a very slim senior squad now and if someone like TC went down with an injury I suspect one of them might make the bench. If the game was at SL then we'd already know of any injuries before the game starts, if they've been in Rotterdam for a day or two already it would be harder to get them back in time
Is it not a consideration about Dixon needing a VISA and depending on the time factor in arranging this friendly, perhaps a VISA was not able to be generated in time.
That would assume that the friendly was unplanned which seems unlikely and doesn't explain Enslin not going
Just musing over his omission really, you're probably right in stating that both Enslin and Dixon are now closer to the first team than two weeks ago and most teams name their starting line up and have a couple of players not named but within the match squad in case of emergencies.
Game is in Rotterdam which makes it less likely Dixon/Enslin are involved tonight I think
What's the thought process there mate?
Suggests to me they were needed at SL for training/injury cover for however many days the U21s are away. We have a very slim senior squad now and if someone like TC went down with an injury I suspect one of them might make the bench. If the game was at SL then we'd already know of any injuries before the game starts, if they've been in Rotterdam for a day or two already it would be harder to get them back in time
Is it not a consideration about Dixon needing a VISA and depending on the time factor in arranging this friendly, perhaps a VISA was not able to be generated in time ?
Thought Dixon's VISA issue was specific to one game that Jamaica were playing where he'd lost his passport and so couldn't get the required entry VISA to somewhere, the States was it?
I doubt enselin will get any playing time of substance this year. Excellent passer/crosser and very good skill on the ball. Similar to Dixon he is pretty lightweight but without Dixons pace. I would have concerns how he would handle the defensive side of being a wingback and is not really a forward - more of a traditional winger which we all know doesn’t exist at Charlton. Best let him develop in the u21s this year and then jones can get a good look at him and Dixon in the preseason.
NJs video interview on the window earlier suggests a few u21 players are close to being involved more regularly and I expect he’s mainly referring to Enslin and Laqeretabua. The players who left in the window free up those two to be closer to the first team. I think playing time will depend on injuries, and if they get a chance, the impact they make.
I wouldn’t call Enslin lightweight, he looks one of the more physically ready u21s to me, and his versatility will only help him get more opportunities. He could be a more mobile Johnnie Jackson for us, he has a bit of everything to his game without being outstanding in one area.
The “streamlining” of the squad only makes it clearer the 888 plan is still in place, hopefully we can get the best out of our academy prospects and really develop them properly. RD wanted a similar approach but I never felt the support was in place with a good manager, coaching team, senior players etc, instead they were thrown in and we had to hope they handled it.
So, we've had Lookman, a Ballon D'Or nominee, compared to Dixon, and Enslin as a "more mobile" Johnnie Jackson...
Two absolute legends of the club, being compared, unfavourably, to untried Academy players...
I'm a huge fan or our academy, but some of you need to get your lumps felt!
To be fair, the words “could be” were added to the jonnie jackson reference, not “will be” or “is”
Charlton had been keen to add a winger before the deadline expired for deals.
Jones said: “We wanted and tried. We were very bold in our attempts to sign certain players – we just weren’t able to do that in this window. But what we didn’t want to do was token take of anyone because we have got a very, very good academy that we can test.
“So when it became apparent we couldn’t do anyone of significant quality we decided to shut the shop down and move forward with what we had.
Enslin was one of the pre match non picked ‘warm down’ players on Tuesday, along with Tennai Watson and somebody who looked a bit like Reid the goalkeeper. Dixon wasn’t one of the trio, nor did he go to Rotterdam.
Game in Rotterdam arranged by Chris Lock and Sparta Tech Director, Charlton were 3-1 down at one stage and fought back for a draw. Toby Bower missed a penalty in the second half. 10 minutes before the end appearance from Keenan Gough who has been out injured for around 4 months. 2 games next week Tuesday Millwall 1pm at Dartford and Friday V Colchester 1 Pm at Charlton training ground.
Comments
I did wonder if it was the Andy Hunt or just a coincidence! That all makes sense now.
Their academy is truly awe inspiring. If you get to their U16 squad you have a 58% chance of becoming a professional footballer. And somewhere between 40-50% of minutes played by the first team were played by products of their own club.
Sparta Rotterdam and AZ Alkmaar would be a find link up for CAFC.
I accept many of you would find this double Dutch.
Jones said: “We wanted and tried. We were very bold in our attempts to sign certain players – we just weren’t able to do that in this window. But what we didn’t want to do was token take of anyone because we have got a very, very good academy that we can test.
“So when it became apparent we couldn’t do anyone of significant quality we decided to shut the shop down and move forward with what we had.
https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/portsmouth-loan-signing-emerges-as-midfield-option-as-charlton-chief-talks-about-lean-and-mean-squad/
Enslin and Dixon appearing to miss the Netherlands trip shows they’re probably seen as cover at WB and in TCs role respectively.
Dixon wasn’t one of the trio, nor did he go to Rotterdam.