Overall, I thinks it's been a good window, in that we've retained our best players (Konsa and Holmes) and added some genuine quality. We've also managed to move on most of the big earners (notably,Tex) and several players like Watt, Ceballos, Novak and Crofts who clearly didn't feature in Robinson's plans. The legacy of the regime's past egregious negligence in player recruitment will take some further time to wash through but there's been some decent mitigation and progress in this window.
We've lost a lot of experience with the departure of Crofts and Novak but the release of the former will give Anfernee Dijksteel a chance to show what he can do in central midfield and I think he is going to be a big player for us. Lee Novak was a far more difficult one, although given that he's reputedly on between £250-300k a year and has nearly two years left on his contract, the temptation to unload him was too great for the regime to resist. When you add in the player's own wish to move on, his release becomes a little more comprehensible.
What is incomprehensible, of course, is to leave ourselves with just one recognised centre forward, given the huge demands of a 46 game league season, particularly given Josh's role in playing up there on his tod. In the normal course of events, he's bound to suffer at times from injuries, fatigue and loss of form and we have left ourselves with no cover in this very important position. It's all very well talking about the January window but half the season will be over by then, in addition to which, prices in January tend to be higher rather than lower unless a player is entering the last 6 months of his contract. The lack of strikers also leaves us with few (if any) options off the bench if we need to change our shape in order to chase the game.
Be that as it may, while it's still very early days, I believe that progress has been made Karl Robinson deserves credit for reshaping the team and squad and for introducing a meaningful style of play. I still occasionally wince at the memory of the game at Oxford last season when poor old Russell Slade had Crofty sitting, Kevin Foley playing in an advanced midfield role behind Magennis and Jacko on the right wing.
Leaving aside transfers in and out, we've been assisted by two further significant factors: the return of Ahmed Kashi and the emergence of another crop of very promising youngsters. It's just a shame that the chance to turn a good window into an excellent one has been passed up.
Agree that this window has been positive and the best so far under Roland - not saying much though is it, particularly when we've been left negligently short of strikers.
Also if we go up it will be no thanks to Roland - without the pressure from CARD we absolutely would be watching the likes of lepoint drifting aimlessly in league 2
Good article. It's been a puzzling 24 hours. Something happened over the summer. Don't know what precisely. But most folk seem to have taken a deep breath and started to like our club again. It has felt like something has changed for the better and we have a fresh, vibrant and pacey team that have started like a steam train despite the early mishaps during preseason (remember Ireland anyone?).
The gruesome twosome Belgian Bonnie and Clyde are nowhere to be seen or heard and we have a good old fashioned British coaching team in place. Just a few bits of pruning and planting to be done before the end of the deadline and my finger has been hovering twitchily over the season ticket renewal button.
But deadline day stopped me in my tracks. Despite our easy on the eye midfield are we really serious about a full campaign with only one striker? I like Josh but he has his limitations. Either Reeco whatsis-name is a well kept secret that's ready to roll or the window was one big cock-up. Dodoo was clearly a last minute panic when Grigg didn't materialise. Novak is a red herring. It's been well known for a while that he wanted out so there was time to sort out an alternative. Either that or RD has seen enough already to know that relegation isn't on the cards this season so we can all relax and join in with the dancing, safe in the knowledge that there are another two or three kids who will be worth healthy fees come January or next summer. Purse strings tied again. But I can't believe in that scenario that Robinson has it in him to stay quiet.
Whatever the case, I'm flummoxed. Genuinely excited with our first eleven. Attractive enough to entice me back to the Valley regularly even in this god forsaken league. But a red card and an injury away from being a big struggle. And if that's obvious to me why isn't it obvious to those in a position of responsibility? Deliberate negligence? A plan that's so cunning that I can't see it? Maybe this league is so poor that we'll piss it with what we've got. But I'm not betting on it.
Roland's plan? Sticking or twisting? To be honest, I'm tired of bothering. The sooner he and Daisy are gone the better but there's all sorts of crazy out there so goodness knows what alternative we will get. I want a team that I can like again and my Saturday afternoons back. I'm a lot closer to both than I have been for ages but a jigsaw with two pieces missing is as frustrating as hell. Season ticket? Dunno guv. Let's we how we get on today with a couple missing.
i did try and say on here that the experiment was over this time last year but unfortunately the hangover from relegation and slades efforts werent very convincing so hopefully people can get back with supporting the team, help get bus promoted and then the experimenter can sell up and clear off - we may have had 3 shit years but we will be left with a better training ground as a legacy and still be at the valley and with a better pitch.
I want a team that I can like again and my Saturday afternoons back. I'm a lot closer to both than I have been for ages but a jigsaw with two pieces missing is as frustrating as hell. Season ticket? Dunno guv. Let's we how we get on today with a couple missing.
The team I do like. I'm off Oldham to see 'em in a moment, so that must mean something. I even have an expectation of seeing good football, something which is a novelty for me. How Karl and his team have achieved this I don't know. The fact that we're so short of strikers is bonkers, but it'll be interesting to see how we deal with that when Mag is unavailable. The Charlton soap opera continues apace. Best show in town.
IMO Duchatelet has a plan to sell if he can get someone, to pay a price that allows him to recoup losses / cut a profit. Plan B's & C to sell Konsa / Aribo / & or Kashi or anyone that can reduce the losses whilst plan A to sell. Long shot plan C to develop the Valley for housing / commercial. Duchatelet would Surely love to separate club & Stadium, but must be aware of the significant opposition to that plan.
No expert on currency, I wonder how the falling price of Sterling fits in. It is likely to factor into Duchatelet's calculations as well.
Whatever his aim is, success & achievement on the pitch appears to be secondary & to be a side concern. It is mystifying, & a bit infuriating as the team / squad gets so close but is hamstrung by the final bits of the jigsaw not being completed. With the striker situation it almost appears that Duchatelet wants to avoid automatic promotion.
Maybe he has the expectation that the Under 23's will step up. If it succeeds all well & good if not then at least one of them maybe able to be sold on to make up losses. It is just guesswork. Difficult to work out the logic of what is aimed to be achieved. That's been true since the beginning. One of the problems is there is no clear measure of what Duchatelet considers to be success.
I am looking forward to the time when Duchatelet finally sells up. Really hoping that is sooner than later. Long time Charlton supporters will be still going to the Valley long after Duchatelet has sold & left the club. It is just a matter of keeping the faith & holding firm. Charlton will rise again & the success will be all the sweeter.
I like the game plan and watching England frustratingly plod around against Malta ffs last night during the first half until I could stand it no more I realised how much more enjoyable Charlton's football has been so far this season. The window has all been about bringing in players that buy into and can thrive in the game plan. Each new player has been a revelation as has each kid that has stepped up. Some existing players look like they've been unshackled. Those that have gone presumably didn't fit or didn't want to. And the greatest beauty of it all is it has space for the kid with legs and stamina that hasnt had the joy of free flowing attacking football totalling coached out of him to fit in and thrive - there is a special generation coming through in this country, the summer success of so many England teams has shown that. To me, I have to believe the window has been a success.
Some well considered tomes here with mainly thoughts on individual players , injuries etc. This old fool would like to simplify thoughts if that's all right. 1) Roland has started to realise what a mess he has made of the first two years, especially with Coaches, and is doing something about it. 2) He seems to have told Katrien to keep a much quieter profile. 3) The pulling together of Robinson, Bowyer and Jackson is making it look like proper Charlton . As Baeur has made clear the atmosphere and spirit within the Club is greatly improved, with constant appreciation of supporters. 4) The football that I am watching is the most enjoyable for years. Basically I feel good, positive, and my bets are on. COYR
My view is roland wants to do it his way. Seen 3 of the 4 league games we look mustard. This team will create a lot of chances. We needed another striker in, should go up with this squad. I hope I'm not back on here in May and we've finished a couple of points off automatic promotion. If we do go up with what we have rolys ways worked.
Read that sort of thing before - it's not his way, we've just gone back to the way we did things before RD bought the club.
For the 1st time, Duchatelet and Nightmare have actually allowed the manager to manage his own team. But only with his wrists tied behind his back.
The thing I like about this team is that most of the players have a point to prove. Players like Amos and Forster-Caskey were very highly rated a few years ago and have unfulfilled potential that can give someone the drive to really improve. Does Kashi want to be here? Who knows. He seems happy for now which is good for us as he is a top end Championship player on his day, but no one is going to buy him off of two years out so he has to impress here. Da Silva clearly likes it at Charlton (was it reported he wanted to come back here rather than the Championship or did I imagine that?), while the likes of Fosu and KAG are young and hungry. Holmes (especially) and Magennis are consumate professionals, while Reeves and Marshall are really going to have to go some to dislodge Clarke/Fosu. Solly is Solly, Pearce is a player I rate highly and Bauer seems to be getting some form back. It's so frustrating to not have a real quality player to rival Magennis, it would have put us in an extremely good position for the automatics. As it is, I'd hazard a guess we'll finish 3rd/4th, but if we can get to January in the promotion picture and get Grigg/Taylor/Godden or whoever in then, then we should be looking to go up automatically.
The thing I like about this team is that most of the players have a point to prove. Players like Amos and Forster-Caskey were very highly rated a few years ago and have unfulfilled potential that can give someone the drive to really improve. Does Kashi want to be here? Who knows. He seems happy for now which is good for us as he is a top end Championship player on his day, but no one is going to buy him off of two years out so he has to impress here. Da Silva clearly likes it at Charlton (was it reported he wanted to come back here rather than the Championship or did I imagine that?), while the likes of Fosu and KAG are young and hungry. Holmes (especially) and Magennis are consumate professionals, while Reeves and Marshall are really going to have to go some to dislodge Clarke/Fosu. Solly is Solly, Pearce is a player I rate highly and Bauer seems to be getting some form back. It's so frustrating to not have a real quality player to rival Magennis, it would have put us in an extremely good position for the automatics. As it is, I'd hazard a guess we'll finish 3rd/4th, but if we can get to January in the promotion picture and get Grigg/Taylor/Godden or whoever in then, then we should be looking to go up automatically.
Dodoo may yet surprise you; much quicker than Mag, more unpredictable, will make more mistakes.... but has potential. Took his goal calmly.
My view is roland wants to do it his way. Seen 3 of the 4 league games we look mustard. This team will create a lot of chances. We needed another striker in, should go up with this squad. I hope I'm not back on here in May and we've finished a couple of points off automatic promotion. If we do go up with what we have rolys ways worked.
Read that sort of thing before - it's not his way, we've just gone back to the way we did things before RD bought the club.
For the 1st time, Duchatelet and Nightmare have actually allowed the manager to manage his own team. But only with his wrists tied behind his back.
Although they forgot to gag him.
Any chance they could untie his wrists and tape his mouth?
While there are some similarities between us now and 2 years ago, there is a major difference between signing English players, and buying inexperienced foreign players, having to settle in a new country, with little experience of playing in England.
Just as importantly, the signings made in the summer were all players signed to fit the manager's preferred tactics, rather than the manager being given players and made to fit them in a system.
There is much more continuity too. If you look at the team which finished the season against Swindon, 8 of that starting 11 if you include Jackson are still with us, there is definitely a feeling of building on last season, rather than the usual rebuilding the team yet again.
Yes we needed another striker, but overall I am much more optimistic than in previous seasons. The bookies have us as 3rd favourites now (behind Wigan and Blackburn) which suggests that while not perfect, we have made a step in the right direction.
I think the transfer window was excellent we got in Reeves, Marshall, Clarke and Fosu for possibly £300K, when they could have cost us what £1M/£2M or more ?
We also got in Amos and Da Silva on loan & both are looking top class.
We kept and gave new contracts to our best players Holmes, Pearce and Magennis and we've got the excellent Kashi back as well as Sarr, who has looked top class, albeit not yet in a league game.
We moved on the players who were not performing, were on high wages and regularly came at the bottom of the CL marks week in week out. Tex, Watt, Ajose, Novak, Crofts as well as Roger Johnson.
We've got some of the Academy players on much needed loans, Hanlan, Umerah, Charles-Cooke.
I genuinely believe we made an offer for Will Grigg, but Wigan refused to sell to a rival.
I believe we tried to get Matty Taylor, but Bristol C wouldn't sell/loan.
I believe we had agreed terms with Matt Godden & Stevenage, only for Stevenage to massively hike the price on the last day.
This led us to chase Eoin Doyle & Dodoo. So whilst we are a striker down, I do believe the outcome wasn't as the club intended.
This team is playing the most exciting and attractive attacking football since we were riding high in The Premier League. They remind me of the Hales, Flanagan, Powell & Peacock years, when you often thought the team were capable of scoring five every game, even if they would ship some at the other end.
They were such exciting times and I feel we may have them back 40 years later. It's the complete opposite of the turgid football we have been served up for so many years.
It's very early in the season and I fear the bookies favourites Wigan and Blackburn as well as a few others, but as it stands I believe we have a team capable of automatic promotion and the play offs as a minimum. I think our team are playing better football than anyone we faced last season. The big issue of course is if Magennis gets injured and how Dodoo or a n other will "fit in".
We have been sensible with the budget and let's be honest us fans can't have it both ways. We can't expect to spend millions in transfer fees on top of an average annual loss of say £5M (ok not this season due to Lookman funds) and then complain that the sum owed to RD is growing and growing. We either want him to spend "large" and let the debt grow quicker or we want him to budget sensibly and try to contain the spiralling debt.
In summary, in my opinion Charlton are now being run like a proper football club once again.
We have a good League 1 manager, who so far has done pretty much what Chris Powell did. He's moved on all the players that weren't capable of doing what he wanted or didn't want to be at the club. He's replaced with them Charlton type players, who also look like they are up for the fight.
RD is always going to be quirky and there are sure to be bumps along the way, but I'd love it (Kevin Keegan style) if the fans returned and got fully behind the players, manager and coaches, because they are playing some wonderful passionate football.
The atmosphere at The Valley is really positive now and it would be great to have some of the missing fans return.
Surely all our fans must recognise that things have changed, it's nothing like it was a couple of years ago.
Agree CE. We've had managers talk about playing good football but on the pitch it's never lasted long. While it's still early days I think it'll continue due to the players we have and the way KR has set us up.
I didn't think promotion would be possible while RD and KM were here but we have a genuine chance this season.
This team is worth watching this season despite there being serious doubts over RD and KM longer term (which are fully justified). Even the next bad run of form is another test for RD, as is each transfer window.
I can't see this level of spending cutting in the Championship but we deal with that if we get there. KR would probably have to adapt by playing a less open game. Powell did similar, switching from 4-4-2 every week in League 1 to using other systems as necessary.
There's a long way to go and things can change but things are better compared the last few seasons. I'm still in no way a supporter of the ownership, but the main issue for me was always that the club wasn't being ran properly and the impact that had on results and performances on the pitch.
The way they're running it now (the playing side) gives us a chance to progress that we haven't had so far since they came in.
I think the transfer window was excellent we got in Reeves, Marshall, Clarke and Fosu for possibly £300K, when they could have cost us what £1M/£2M or more ?
We also got in Amos and Da Silva on loan & both are looking top class.
We kept and gave new contracts to our best players Holmes, Pearce and Magennis and we've got the excellent Kashi back as well as Sarr, who has looked top class, albeit not yet in a league game.
We moved on the players who were not performing, were on high wages and regularly came at the bottom of the CL marks week in week out. Tex, Watt, Ajose, Novak, Crofts as well as Roger Johnson.
We've got some of the Academy players on much needed loans, Hanlan, Umerah, Charles-Cooke.
I genuinely believe we made an offer for Will Grigg, but Wigan refused to sell to a rival.
I believe we tried to get Matty Taylor, but Bristol C wouldn't sell/loan.
I believe we had agreed terms with Matt Godden & Stevenage, only for Stevenage to massively hike the price on the last day.
This led us to chase Eoin Doyle & Dodoo. So whilst we are a striker down, I do believe the outcome wasn't as the club intended.
This team is playing the most exciting and attractive attacking football since we were riding high in The Premier League. They remind me of the Hales, Flanagan, Powell & Peacock years, when you often thought the team were capable of scoring five every game, even if they would ship some at the other end.
They were such exciting times and I feel we may have them back 40 years later. It's the complete opposite of the turgid football we have been served up for so many years.
It's very early in the season and I fear the bookies favourites Wigan and Blackburn as well as a few others, but as it stands I believe we have a team capable of automatic promotion and the play offs as a minimum. I think our team are playing better football than anyone we faced last season. The big issue of course is if Magennis gets injured and how Dodoo or a n other will "fit in".
We have been sensible with the budget and let's be honest us fans can't have it both ways. We can't expect to spend millions in transfer fees on top of an average annual loss of say £5M (ok not this season due to Lookman funds) and then complain that the sum owed to RD is growing and growing. We either want him to spend "large" and let the debt grow quicker or we want him to budget sensibly and try to contain the spiralling debt.
In summary, in my opinion Charlton are now being run like a proper football club once again.
We have a good League 1 manager, who so far has done pretty much what Chris Powell did. He's moved on all the players that weren't capable of doing what he wanted or didn't want to be at the club. He's replaced with them Charlton type players, who also look like they are up for the fight.
RD is always going to be quirky and there are sure to be bumps along the way, but I'd love it (Kevin Keegan style) if the fans returned and got fully behind the players, manager and coaches, because they are playing some wonderful passionate football.
The atmosphere at The Valley is really positive now and it would be great to have some of the missing fans return.
Surely all our fans must recognise that things have changed, it's nothing like it was a couple of years ago.
I agree with you Scoham and am pleased you agree with me, because you are always bang on the money.
Oh friends.
I'm getting a warm glow. lol.
I'm no fan of the ownership, but it looks to me like they've had to change their ways after the protests and boycotts, and what have you. If they'd taken over the club at the end of last season we'd have nothing to complain about. But some will never forgive them for what went on in the past, and for the lack of contrition from RD in particular for that. And some think he may revert to his old ways. I wouldn't put it past him, but fingers crossed he doesn't.
Any genuine Charlton fan has to be pleased with a start to the season of 4 wins from 5 league games.
However, as I said from day 1, whilst I'll enjoy the green shoots of recovery we are presently witnessing, I'll judge it after 10 games or so. We are entering autumn and, to continue the weather analogy, a cold Belgian frost could easily kill those green shoots.
I think the transfer window was excellent we got in Reeves, Marshall, Clarke and Fosu for possibly £300K, when they could have cost us what £1M/£2M or more ?
We also got in Amos and Da Silva on loan & both are looking top class.
We kept and gave new contracts to our best players Holmes, Pearce and Magennis and we've got the excellent Kashi back as well as Sarr, who has looked top class, albeit not yet in a league game.
We moved on the players who were not performing, were on high wages and regularly came at the bottom of the CL marks week in week out. Tex, Watt, Ajose, Novak, Crofts as well as Roger Johnson.
We've got some of the Academy players on much needed loans, Hanlan, Umerah, Charles-Cooke.
I genuinely believe we made an offer for Will Grigg, but Wigan refused to sell to a rival.
I believe we tried to get Matty Taylor, but Bristol C wouldn't sell/loan.
I believe we had agreed terms with Matt Godden & Stevenage, only for Stevenage to massively hike the price on the last day.
This led us to chase Eoin Doyle & Dodoo. So whilst we are a striker down, I do believe the outcome wasn't as the club intended.
This team is playing the most exciting and attractive attacking football since we were riding high in The Premier League. They remind me of the Hales, Flanagan, Powell & Peacock years, when you often thought the team were capable of scoring five every game, even if they would ship some at the other end.
They were such exciting times and I feel we may have them back 40 years later. It's the complete opposite of the turgid football we have been served up for so many years.
It's very early in the season and I fear the bookies favourites Wigan and Blackburn as well as a few others, but as it stands I believe we have a team capable of automatic promotion and the play offs as a minimum. I think our team are playing better football than anyone we faced last season. The big issue of course is if Magennis gets injured and how Dodoo or a n other will "fit in".
We have been sensible with the budget and let's be honest us fans can't have it both ways. We can't expect to spend millions in transfer fees on top of an average annual loss of say £5M (ok not this season due to Lookman funds) and then complain that the sum owed to RD is growing and growing. We either want him to spend "large" and let the debt grow quicker or we want him to budget sensibly and try to contain the spiralling debt.
In summary, in my opinion Charlton are now being run like a proper football club once again.
We have a good League 1 manager, who so far has done pretty much what Chris Powell did. He's moved on all the players that weren't capable of doing what he wanted or didn't want to be at the club. He's replaced with them Charlton type players, who also look like they are up for the fight.
RD is always going to be quirky and there are sure to be bumps along the way, but I'd love it (Kevin Keegan style) if the fans returned and got fully behind the players, manager and coaches, because they are playing some wonderful passionate football.
The atmosphere at The Valley is really positive now and it would be great to have some of the missing fans return.
Surely all our fans must recognise that things have changed, it's nothing like it was a couple of years ago.
Without doubt the most intelligent post I have read on CL for some while. Bravo
I think the transfer window was excellent we got in Reeves, Marshall, Clarke and Fosu for possibly £300K, when they could have cost us what £1M/£2M or more ?
We also got in Amos and Da Silva on loan & both are looking top class.
We kept and gave new contracts to our best players Holmes, Pearce and Magennis and we've got the excellent Kashi back as well as Sarr, who has looked top class, albeit not yet in a league game.
We moved on the players who were not performing, were on high wages and regularly came at the bottom of the CL marks week in week out. Tex, Watt, Ajose, Novak, Crofts as well as Roger Johnson.
We've got some of the Academy players on much needed loans, Hanlan, Umerah, Charles-Cooke.
I genuinely believe we made an offer for Will Grigg, but Wigan refused to sell to a rival.
I believe we tried to get Matty Taylor, but Bristol C wouldn't sell/loan.
I believe we had agreed terms with Matt Godden & Stevenage, only for Stevenage to massively hike the price on the last day.
This led us to chase Eoin Doyle & Dodoo. So whilst we are a striker down, I do believe the outcome wasn't as the club intended.
This team is playing the most exciting and attractive attacking football since we were riding high in The Premier League. They remind me of the Hales, Flanagan, Powell & Peacock years, when you often thought the team were capable of scoring five every game, even if they would ship some at the other end.
They were such exciting times and I feel we may have them back 40 years later. It's the complete opposite of the turgid football we have been served up for so many years.
It's very early in the season and I fear the bookies favourites Wigan and Blackburn as well as a few others, but as it stands I believe we have a team capable of automatic promotion and the play offs as a minimum. I think our team are playing better football than anyone we faced last season. The big issue of course is if Magennis gets injured and how Dodoo or a n other will "fit in".
We have been sensible with the budget and let's be honest us fans can't have it both ways. We can't expect to spend millions in transfer fees on top of an average annual loss of say £5M (ok not this season due to Lookman funds) and then complain that the sum owed to RD is growing and growing. We either want him to spend "large" and let the debt grow quicker or we want him to budget sensibly and try to contain the spiralling debt.
In summary, in my opinion Charlton are now being run like a proper football club once again.
We have a good League 1 manager, who so far has done pretty much what Chris Powell did. He's moved on all the players that weren't capable of doing what he wanted or didn't want to be at the club. He's replaced with them Charlton type players, who also look like they are up for the fight.
RD is always going to be quirky and there are sure to be bumps along the way, but I'd love it (Kevin Keegan style) if the fans returned and got fully behind the players, manager and coaches, because they are playing some wonderful passionate football.
The atmosphere at The Valley is really positive now and it would be great to have some of the missing fans return.
Surely all our fans must recognise that things have changed, it's nothing like it was a couple of years ago.
Without doubt the most intelligent post I have read on CL for some while. Bravo
Comments
We've lost a lot of experience with the departure of Crofts and Novak but the release of the former will give Anfernee Dijksteel a chance to show what he can do in central midfield and I think he is going to be a big player for us. Lee Novak was a far more difficult one, although given that he's reputedly on between £250-300k a year and has nearly two years left on his contract, the temptation to unload him was too great for the regime to resist. When you add in the player's own wish to move on, his release becomes a little more comprehensible.
What is incomprehensible, of course, is to leave ourselves with just one recognised centre forward, given the huge demands of a 46 game league season, particularly given Josh's role in playing up there on his tod. In the normal course of events, he's bound to suffer at times from injuries, fatigue and loss of form and we have left ourselves with no cover in this very important position. It's all very well talking about the January window but half the season will be over by then, in addition to which, prices in January tend to be higher rather than lower unless a player is entering the last 6 months of his contract. The lack of strikers also leaves us with few (if any) options off the bench if we need to change our shape in order to chase the game.
Be that as it may, while it's still very early days, I believe that progress has been made Karl Robinson deserves credit for reshaping the team and squad and for introducing a meaningful style of play. I still occasionally wince at the memory of the game at Oxford last season when poor old Russell Slade had Crofty sitting, Kevin Foley playing in an advanced midfield role behind Magennis and Jacko on the right wing.
Leaving aside transfers in and out, we've been assisted by two further significant factors: the return of Ahmed Kashi and the emergence of another crop of very promising youngsters. It's just a shame that the chance to turn a good window into an excellent one has been passed up.
Also if we go up it will be no thanks to Roland - without the pressure from CARD we absolutely would be watching the likes of lepoint drifting aimlessly in league 2
The gruesome twosome Belgian Bonnie and Clyde are nowhere to be seen or heard and we have a good old fashioned British coaching team in place. Just a few bits of pruning and planting to be done before the end of the deadline and my finger has been hovering twitchily over the season ticket renewal button.
But deadline day stopped me in my tracks. Despite our easy on the eye midfield are we really serious about a full campaign with only one striker? I like Josh but he has his limitations. Either Reeco whatsis-name is a well kept secret that's ready to roll or the window was one big cock-up. Dodoo was clearly a last minute panic when Grigg didn't materialise. Novak is a red herring. It's been well known for a while that he wanted out so there was time to sort out an alternative. Either that or RD has seen enough already to know that relegation isn't on the cards this season so we can all relax and join in with the dancing, safe in the knowledge that there are another two or three kids who will be worth healthy fees come January or next summer. Purse strings tied again. But I can't believe in that scenario that Robinson has it in him to stay quiet.
Whatever the case, I'm flummoxed. Genuinely excited with our first eleven. Attractive enough to entice me back to the Valley regularly even in this god forsaken league. But a red card and an injury away from being a big struggle. And if that's obvious to me why isn't it obvious to those in a position of responsibility? Deliberate negligence? A plan that's so cunning that I can't see it? Maybe this league is so poor that we'll piss it with what we've got. But I'm not betting on it.
Roland's plan? Sticking or twisting? To be honest, I'm tired of bothering. The sooner he and Daisy are gone the better but there's all sorts of crazy out there so goodness knows what alternative we will get. I want a team that I can like again and my Saturday afternoons back. I'm a lot closer to both than I have been for ages but a jigsaw with two pieces missing is as frustrating as hell. Season ticket? Dunno guv. Let's we how we get on today with a couple missing.
I'm off Oldham to see 'em in a moment, so that must mean something. I even have an expectation of seeing good football, something which is a novelty for me.
How Karl and his team have achieved this I don't know.
The fact that we're so short of strikers is bonkers, but it'll be interesting to see how we deal with that when Mag is unavailable.
The Charlton soap opera continues apace. Best show in town.
No expert on currency, I wonder how the falling price of Sterling fits in. It is likely to factor into Duchatelet's calculations as well.
Whatever his aim is, success & achievement on the pitch appears to be secondary & to be a side concern. It is mystifying, & a bit infuriating as the team / squad gets so close but is hamstrung by the final bits of the jigsaw not being completed. With the striker situation it almost appears that Duchatelet wants to avoid automatic promotion.
Maybe he has the expectation that the Under 23's will step up. If it succeeds all well & good if not then at least one of them maybe able to be sold on to make up losses. It is just guesswork. Difficult to work out the logic of what is aimed to be achieved. That's been true since the beginning. One of the problems is there is no clear measure of what Duchatelet considers to be success.
I am looking forward to the time when Duchatelet finally sells up. Really hoping that is sooner than later. Long time Charlton supporters will be still going to the Valley long after Duchatelet has sold & left the club. It is just a matter of keeping the faith & holding firm. Charlton will rise again & the success will be all the sweeter.
Basically I feel good, positive, and my bets are on. COYR
But only with his wrists tied behind his back.
Although they forgot to gag him.
KR says we tried to sign Doyle but he turned us down for Oldham - didn't want to come down south.
Just as importantly, the signings made in the summer were all players signed to fit the manager's preferred tactics, rather than the manager being given players and made to fit them in a system.
There is much more continuity too. If you look at the team which finished the season against Swindon, 8 of that starting 11 if you include Jackson are still with us, there is definitely a feeling of building on last season, rather than the usual rebuilding the team yet again.
Yes we needed another striker, but overall I am much more optimistic than in previous seasons. The bookies have us as 3rd favourites now (behind Wigan and Blackburn) which suggests that while not perfect, we have made a step in the right direction.
We also got in Amos and Da Silva on loan & both are looking top class.
We kept and gave new contracts to our best players Holmes, Pearce and Magennis and we've got the excellent Kashi back as well as Sarr, who has looked top class, albeit not yet in a league game.
We moved on the players who were not performing, were on high wages and regularly came at the bottom of the CL marks week in week out. Tex, Watt, Ajose, Novak, Crofts as well as Roger Johnson.
We've got some of the Academy players on much needed loans, Hanlan, Umerah, Charles-Cooke.
I genuinely believe we made an offer for Will Grigg, but Wigan refused to sell to a rival.
I believe we tried to get Matty Taylor, but Bristol C wouldn't sell/loan.
I believe we had agreed terms with Matt Godden & Stevenage, only for Stevenage to massively hike the price on the last day.
This led us to chase Eoin Doyle & Dodoo.
So whilst we are a striker down, I do believe the outcome wasn't as the club intended.
This team is playing the most exciting and attractive attacking football since we were riding high in The Premier League. They remind me of the Hales, Flanagan, Powell & Peacock years, when you often thought the team were capable of scoring five every game, even if they would ship some at the other end.
They were such exciting times and I feel we may have them back 40 years later. It's the complete opposite of the turgid football we have been served up for so many years.
It's very early in the season and I fear the bookies favourites Wigan and Blackburn as well as a few others, but as it stands I believe we have a team capable of automatic promotion and the play offs as a minimum.
I think our team are playing better football than anyone we faced last season.
The big issue of course is if Magennis gets injured and how Dodoo or a n other will "fit in".
We have been sensible with the budget and let's be honest us fans can't have it both ways.
We can't expect to spend millions in transfer fees on top of an average annual loss of say £5M (ok not this season due to Lookman funds) and then complain that the sum owed to RD is growing and growing.
We either want him to spend "large" and let the debt grow quicker or we want him to budget sensibly and try to contain the spiralling debt.
In summary, in my opinion Charlton are now being run like a proper football club once again.
We have a good League 1 manager, who so far has done pretty much what Chris Powell did.
He's moved on all the players that weren't capable of doing what he wanted or didn't want to be at the club.
He's replaced with them Charlton type players, who also look like they are up for the fight.
RD is always going to be quirky and there are sure to be bumps along the way, but I'd love it (Kevin Keegan style) if the fans returned and got fully behind the players, manager and coaches, because they are playing some wonderful passionate football.
The atmosphere at The Valley is really positive now and it would be great to have some of the missing fans return.
Surely all our fans must recognise that things have changed, it's nothing like it was a couple of years ago.
I didn't think promotion would be possible while RD and KM were here but we have a genuine chance this season.
This team is worth watching this season despite there being serious doubts over RD and KM longer term (which are fully justified). Even the next bad run of form is another test for RD, as is each transfer window.
I can't see this level of spending cutting in the Championship but we deal with that if we get there. KR would probably have to adapt by playing a less open game. Powell did similar, switching from 4-4-2 every week in League 1 to using other systems as necessary.
There's a long way to go and things can change but things are better compared the last few seasons. I'm still in no way a supporter of the ownership, but the main issue for me was always that the club wasn't being ran properly and the impact that had on results and performances on the pitch.
The way they're running it now (the playing side) gives us a chance to progress that we haven't had so far since they came in.
We will get injuries and then the squad will be tested but certainly will be getting behind the team this season.
I'm no fan of the ownership, but it looks to me like they've had to change their ways after the protests and boycotts, and what have you. If they'd taken over the club at the end of last season we'd have nothing to complain about. But some will never forgive them for what went on in the past, and for the lack of contrition from RD in particular for that. And some think he may revert to his old ways. I wouldn't put it past him, but fingers crossed he doesn't.
However, as I said from day 1, whilst I'll enjoy the green shoots of recovery we are presently witnessing, I'll judge it after 10 games or so. We are entering autumn and, to continue the weather analogy, a cold Belgian frost could easily kill those green shoots.