With the persisting rumours of a regime change and an end to RD's reign of terror, I wondered how much we would realistically need to build a promotion challenging squad next season (let's hope L1).
I'd be interested to here where the general consensus feel we need to bring key players in...although painfully obvious a significant overhaul of the first eleven is needed.
I'd also suggest a complete refresh of first team coaching and management.
I personally feel we would need at least 4/5 top quality players of champ standard, 5-7 million?
Thoughts?
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Comments
You need to do what Powell did and buy the best players from L1.
A few million should be enough, which is what is so galling.
If we'd spent a few million of the Lookman money, we'd possibly be in the play off chase.
Couple of million of shrewd investments could do it. Or a couple of mill on poorly scouted dross could send us in the opposite direction
If we do have new owners then I agree we don't need to spend big -just need to spend wise.
The first thing you need is an owner who has ambition for the first team.
Then have SMT, management, coaches, players and fans singing from the same hymn sheet.
We spent the most on agents in this league this last year yet are a gazillion miles from having a spine of Hamer, Morrison, Stephens and Kermorgant, and having a Wright-Phillips scoring for fun.
I remember a player, think it was Leon Cort, who on our demise, commented on twitter to another ex player something like "what the hell has happened at Charlton? After what WE had down there with Powelly".
This from an experienced player often not even first choice.
The way this lot do business, they seem to totally ignore balance. They see a player with the attributes they like (usually one they think they can sell on for a profit), make no considerations of how they will fit it to the team and the league in some instances and whether they play in a priority position. You can argue about debt, but I have never had an issue with the amount spent on players in total, just the crazy way that money is spent.
But having said that, the last window was an opportunity to spend a couple of million to get us out of a hole - from the Lookman deal - and use it to produce a squad that could get us promoted. With that figure it would be a realistic objective. Yes, it would probably mean having to pay some inflated prices, but again be more flexible - be willing to look in other countries. This lot go from one extreme to another in that respect. - They decide the issue is we have too many foreign players, then won't touch them with a barge pole. Kermogant is French FFS - you just have to bring in the right type - English or foriegn.
And lastly, when you sign a player or renew a contract you need to think about it. I was a bit taken aback when Solly and JJ got the contracts they did in terms of length. These were players other clubs were not going to nick for different reasons. Yes they were loyal players and by all means keep them on, but it doesn't make football sense to give a player whose legs have gone a three year deal. And I am calling for JJ to be made manager. Tex is another point - when we learned of the deal, our eyebrows were raised. A team almost certain of going down to the third division giving a 31 year old a 4 year deal at £12k a week is ridiculous! I think he is a decent player, but I don't pay his wages. These discrepencies in pay do not help the unity of the squad either! Our top six! budget is taken up paying players who haven't been playing for us due to the mis-spending of the regime! I have never experienced people who are incompetent suddenly becoming competent - it is a pointless hope always looking to the next window with this lot in charge. I was not disapointed with the last window because I knew it would be crap.
Leon Cort was an excellent example of what we used to be. A squad player who would always do a job for you. So when you looked at the teamsheet and saw him on it, you didn't worry! Balance is about being able to cover injuries or loss of form with palyers like that!
74-75 - virtually nothing
80-81 - nil. The same team that went down (plus Walsh).
85-86 - Lennie bought virtually a whole new team for very little money.
The 2 Curbishley promotions and the Powell year - no banks broken there either.
It's never about spending big but more spending wisely, looking for the right player in terms of attitude, skill and desire. Lennie always looked for a player that had fallen out of favour with his club and had something to prove.
That is something, without a takeover, which will never happen again at Charlton.
I recall when Robert Lee was sold. Robinson was brought in immediately. Initially, he had big boots to fill, but Curbs knew the character of the bloke. If I have to rank all the players I have seen playing for Charlton, Lee would be right up there near the top but Robbo would be above him.
They probably had decent enough players already but always missed out on promotion.
Wilder has got them playing as a team with good spirit and a fair amount of skill and they look a shoe in to go up.
As has been said above, its not about what you spend but what you spend it on.
I'm sure there was also something about Powell saying we only paid fees for either 2 or 3 players.
Lots of reasons:
- Because their chairman doesn't do failure and therefore that means they'll be in a winning team
-The club executive have learned from every mistake that could possibly be made in the running of a football club and therefore can only logically do the right thing to achieve success herein
- They will get to play alongside the premier league stars of the future
- Despite the existence of a pressure group Target 20k the Valley crowds are increasingly sparse and playing there will make them nostalgic for when they played at the local rec as kids
- Monotony and boredom won't be an issue as a new manager will be parachuted in every 28 games and so there will be a chance to learn every single style of football and player position in the game
- The security of an 18 year contract whether they can play or not (and not need to worry as it won't be found out before the contract is signed)
- The sheer and utter joy knowing that even if you have just lost 3- 0 at home to Accrington Stanley your fans will have mingled outside before the game and that football is not the most important thing about football.
Truly visionary and I will be surprised if half the Newcastle squad are not handing in transfer requests to come and join us rather than enduring the hum drum gloom of the top flight.
A decent left back, creative midfielder, winger and striker added to what we have, and led by a manager who knows what he's doing (like Wilder for example) should be enough to get us out of this division.
GK: Phillips / Rudd (would be free as his contract with Norwich ends this season and has made some good save mixed with terrible performances
going with Robinsons 4-1-3-1-1
RB: Solly/Konsa
CB: Pearce / Bauer (if he isn't sold, not a bad player makes mistakes and apparently wants to leave)
CB: Konsa / Lennon (providing he overcomes his injuries and isn't sold)
LB: Page / Chicksen (his contract ends this season but is good cover player)
CDM: Jackson/ Crofts (if either don't retire but need a bit more pace here or around them) / Need a new signing here or Konsa will be moved into this position - I feel Ulvestad could do this but hasn't been given much of a chance this season by Robinson so transfer is unlikely
RM: Holmes
CM: Aribo / Forster-Caskey
LM: Ben Reeves (would be a free transfer ex-Robinson player and we was linked with him in January
CAM/Behind Striker: Aribo / Ajose (He is a proven goal scorer and has pace that he could move around the main striker) - Holmes / Reeves / Forster-Caskey can fill in this position if needed
ST/Target Man: Maggenis/Novak (started to link up with Ajose before injuries etc happened)
I would sell Watt, Teixiera, Bauer (only if rumours are too about phone in the changing rooms).
We need another CB, CDM, CM and additional of maybe 2 pacey wingers that can make an impact when coming on from the bench