"Charlton set to listen to any offers for Pape Souare.
Former Palace defender has dropped well down the pecking order after the arrival of Juan Castillo."
Should have bought/loaned a proper LB in the summer rather than some unfit 31 year old.
Another failure of our recruitment in the summer.
We could have got a L1 proven & younger Ogilvie or Seddon in the summer on a free instead we waited until the last minute for a lesser player who wasn’t fit.
Its transfer like Soure that make you question our strategy. Hopefully someone in France takes him off our hands
If you have got a squad of nearly 30 players you have got to have someway of getting them and keeping them match fit. I don't know, something like a reserve team might be a good idea.
How many games are you realistically going to get though? With a packed first team schedule and U23 games, you're not going to get more than 3/4 games a season. Plus who do you play? I guess we could play Brentford a few times a season as I don't know of any other teams who want reserve fixtures.
I hope Souare gets fixed up elsewhere soon. Suspect he won't get a squad place if he doesn't move on.
I hope Gunter follows and Watson sooner than later. All poor for us, no affinity with them. Poor signings.
I think Watson may well be on "the staff" next season.
No problem with this, plus he could play some games for the U23 similar to what Andrew Croft was doing for Brighton when he is/was a playing coach.
Some teams feel it good to have a young Coach in mid 30's playing and coaching in matches for U23.
What Adkins failed to understand when he would always pick Watson over Dobson was Watson got to the ball too late despite being half decent still when he was on the ball. Dobson have been a revelation since getting back in and has even got the majority of CL agreeing for once with his clear lead up to now in the POTY when he is clear with one circuit to go.
Ben Watson had a good career but it was a retrograde step when he got picked for Cafc despite having good games and I'm sure he could be a decent coach if he has the ability to pass on his vast knowledge of the last 18 years.
If he hasn’t grabbed the opportunities with both hands then I am glad they are thinking this way. He’ll probably find himself in non league very soon if he stays here, so overseas may be where Souare ends up.
On the one hand it’s difficult not to feel sorry for him after the car accident, but on the other, we can’t have players like him in the squad if we’re serious about promotion.
A good signal would be seeing Gunter go in this window as well. It’s clear he’s not going to be here next season, so if we could cut ties that would be a good thing. The quicker we get rid of the deadwood, the better it will feel.
Hope this Castillo isn’t too far off fitness as I don’t really want us to be a platform for him just to be regaining fitness. We need bodies in to make a difference, and perhaps give some of the players who think they might have a first team spot next season something to think about.
To that end, do we need Matthews anymore? If we’re going wing backs, it looks like DJ is no1 pick at the moment, and both Leko and CBT can play down the right.
Gunter hasn't played for 2 months, Adam Matthews played that game at Cheltenham after being out the side for 3 months.
Either the squad is far to big, I don't think it is (its not well balanced but that's a different issue) or we are doing something wrong. How can you expect people to not play for months, at all, then come in and perform?
Either match fitness/sharpness is a thing or it's not. If it's not why bother with preason?
My thinking is Gunter doesn’t look like he’s in Jackson’s plans, so maybe we can listen to offers now in the same way we are for Souare
I wasn’t sure if Matthews may also be surplus to requirements? If he’s still part of Jackson’s plans, then I would imagine he’ll stay. I was just basing the comment on the fact that if we are sticking with 3-5-2 and we have Leko, CBT and DJ all available in that position, perhaps Matthews may also no longer be needed
Sorry I wasn't arguing with your point, just that how can you expect a player with zero minutes in 3 months to come in a play well?
We don't seem to give anyone a proper chance to succeed.
I hope Souare gets fixed up elsewhere soon. Suspect he won't get a squad place if he doesn't move on.
I hope Gunter follows and Watson sooner than later. All poor for us, no affinity with them. Poor signings.
On hindsight.
watson was forest player of the year from memory and the comments on him signing were generally positive.
gunter was an international from the division above. On paper, he was a decent signing.
Souare comments when he signed were also generally positive if he could prove fitness. It was a risk worth taking which didn't go as planned. Time to move him on
Sounds like just taking aging players hoping they still have 'one year left in them' ends up a complete waste of time.
Gunter had just turned 31, with no serious history of injury, when we signed him. It's not old by any standards.
I hope Souare gets fixed up elsewhere soon. Suspect he won't get a squad place if he doesn't move on.
I hope Gunter follows and Watson sooner than later. All poor for us, no affinity with them. Poor signings.
On hindsight.
watson was forest player of the year from memory and the comments on him signing were generally positive.
gunter was an international from the division above. On paper, he was a decent signing.
Souare comments when he signed were also generally positive if he could prove fitness. It was a risk worth taking which didn't go as planned. Time to move him on
Sounds like just taking aging players hoping they still have 'one year left in them' ends up a complete waste of time.
Gunter had just turned 31, with no serious history of injury, when we signed him. It's not old by any standards.
And Souare had played well at a much higher level, and was available for a lower wage than someone with his experience would normally be.
It absolutely was a gamble and absolutely has not come off but if it had it could have proven a smart bit of business.
Gunter has suffered for being a good pro and playing in 3 different positions. Unfortunately other that his first half dozen apps he has been disappointing and age isn't the issue. More the Fact that we want wingbacks. Shaw, Chilwell, Walker or James (dream on Sam) would be my choices but we will have to settle for League 1 level with potential to improve.
Can DJ, Leko or CBT really consistently cover in this super fit position ( wing backs) as they are more wingers than backs. TBF all have had decent games in this new position for them, but it will be hit and miss. ( Just like when they are out and out wide men)
Gunter by all accounts hasn't had that bad a career with us, but he was part of a side that were all playing shit at the start of the season and hasn't featured much since due to injury, international games and Clare having a decent run of form
Standards really are slipping if we think Gunter's career with us is anything but disappointing. We're paying him quite a bit of money to be our 3rd best right-back.
Standards really are slipping if we think Gunter's career with us is anything but disappointing. We're paying him quite a bit of money to be our 3rd best right-back.
Gunter started off well last season, got forward and created a few goals. He had a very good game against Afc Wimbledon (from memory). I don't thing signing Watson and Gunter was a mistake as we had just come out of an embargo and needed bodies as the season had started. This put us at a massive disadvantage
the problem was giving them 2 year deals. I'm assuming they wouldn't have signed for a year at the time. Now we are lumbered until the summer which slows down our rebuild, unless we accept that we are going to pay them and not register them in the squad.
I hope Souare gets fixed up elsewhere soon. Suspect he won't get a squad place if he doesn't move on.
I hope Gunter follows and Watson sooner than later. All poor for us, no affinity with them. Poor signings.
I think Watson may well be on "the staff" next season.
No problem with this, plus he could play some games for the U23 similar to what Andrew Croft was doing for Brighton when he is/was a playing coach.
Some teams feel it good to have a young Coach in mid 30's playing and coaching in matches for U23.
What Adkins failed to understand when he would always pick Watson over Dobson was Watson got to the ball too late despite being half decent still when he was on the ball. Dobson have been a revelation since getting back in and has even got the majority of CL agreeing for once with his clear lead up to now in the POTY when he is clear with one circuit to go.
Ben Watson had a good career but it was a retrograde step when he got picked for Cafc despite having good games and I'm sure he could be a decent coach if he has the ability to pass on his vast knowledge of the last 18 years.
Always? Watson only started 6 games one of them was with Dobson.
Dobson probably shouldn't have played against Wigan but as we only had 3 fit midfielders he had to.
He then should have come back into the team earlier than he did, he got semi permanently binned after the Wycombe game, which was a car crash through no fault of Dobson's (Watson didn't play in that either). As that was also the start of DJ's "walking is brilliant" caused exile is suspect that's when the dressing room became, if not lost, at least missing.
Gunter to me has been a MASSIVE disappointment. This is a guy who's still getting games for Wales, yet for us has been a bang average 3rd tier player, and shows no sign of the leadership or hunger when he puts on a Wales shirt. Wales, Golf, Charlton
I was very sceptical at the time with the Souare signing, based on his fitness record after his terrible accident, so that's far less of a disappointment for me. I would have preferred another PL loanee (like JDS and Maatsen) something we now have.
"Charlton set to listen to any offers for Pape Souare.
Former Palace defender has dropped well down the pecking order after the arrival of Juan Castillo."
Should have bought/loaned a proper LB in the summer rather than some unfit 31 year old.
Another failure of our recruitment in the summer.
We could have got a L1 proven & younger Ogilvie or Seddon in the summer on a free instead we waited until the last minute for a lesser player who wasn’t fit.
Its transfer like Soure that make you question our strategy. Hopefully someone in France takes him off our hands
If you have got a squad of nearly 30 players you have got to have someway of getting them and keeping them match fit. I don't know, something like a reserve team might be a good idea.
How many games are you realistically going to get though? With a packed first team schedule and U23 games, you're not going to get more than 3/4 games a season. Plus who do you play? I guess we could play Brentford a few times a season as I don't know of any other teams who want reserve fixtures.
Couldn't we use the u23s more to keep players fit? You can play 3, I think, over age players plus a keeper. I am not suggesting playing a team full of fringe players but you can't have players going months without a game.
Gunter has been nothing other than a massive disappointment. But his age has had nothing to do with it.
Watson was no where near as bad as some people say he was last season and was part of our best midfield then.
Now he seems to have taken up the Andy Hughes role of coaching from the touch line when he is "warming up". I think it says a lot that Jackson has named him in every match day squad but never actually used him.
If he hasn’t grabbed the opportunities with both hands then I am glad they are thinking this way. He’ll probably find himself in non league very soon if he stays here, so overseas may be where Souare ends up.
On the one hand it’s difficult not to feel sorry for him after the car accident, but on the other, we can’t have players like him in the squad if we’re serious about promotion.
A good signal would be seeing Gunter go in this window as well. It’s clear he’s not going to be here next season, so if we could cut ties that would be a good thing. The quicker we get rid of the deadwood, the better it will feel.
Hope this Castillo isn’t too far off fitness as I don’t really want us to be a platform for him just to be regaining fitness. We need bodies in to make a difference, and perhaps give some of the players who think they might have a first team spot next season something to think about.
To that end, do we need Matthews anymore? If we’re going wing backs, it looks like DJ is no1 pick at the moment, and both Leko and CBT can play down the right.
Gunter hasn't played for 2 months, Adam Matthews played that game at Cheltenham after being out the side for 3 months.
Either the squad is far to big, I don't think it is (its not well balanced but that's a different issue) or we are doing something wrong. How can you expect people to not play for months, at all, then come in and perform?
Either match fitness/sharpness is a thing or it's not. If it's not why bother with preason?
My thinking is Gunter doesn’t look like he’s in Jackson’s plans, so maybe we can listen to offers now in the same way we are for Souare
I wasn’t sure if Matthews may also be surplus to requirements? If he’s still part of Jackson’s plans, then I would imagine he’ll stay. I was just basing the comment on the fact that if we are sticking with 3-5-2 and we have Leko, CBT and DJ all available in that position, perhaps Matthews may also no longer be needed
Sorry I wasn't arguing with your point, just that how can you expect a player with zero minutes in 3 months to come in a play well?
We don't seem to give anyone a proper chance to succeed.
Fair point. I just genuinely wasn’t sure if he would be part of Jackson’s plans now given the current set up. Of course, he should be given time if he is.
One thing for me is that the recruitment team have taken so many risks over the last 2-3 years.
Look at Soure on paper. Awful career limiting injury and then 20 or so games in 5 years.
Why would you take that risk? Especially as said there were proven L1 left backs out there also on frees.
Going forward we need to be taking less of these risks and in my opinion start bringing in players based on what they can do rather than ‘big names’ that have or used to do it.
Re Gunter, I think he’s been terrible. As per the comment above, it looks like he only cares about playing for Wales. Wrexham would be a good destination for him
One thing for me is that the recruitment team have taken so many risks over the last 2-3 years.
Look at Soure on paper. Awful career limiting injury and then 20 or so games in 5 years.
Why would you take that risk? Especially as said there were proven L1 left backs out there also on frees.
Going forward we need to be taking less of these risks and in my opinion start bringing in players based on what they can do rather than ‘big names’ that have or used to do it.
Because other options were limited. We signed the guy outside of a transfer window when we needed a left back. What other options were there. On a 1 year deal, it was a low risk signing. It's failed, but it was still low risk
hopefully ts has learned from the last summer window and we won't have to make these type of signings out side of the window ever again!
"Charlton set to listen to any offers for Pape Souare.
Former Palace defender has dropped well down the pecking order after the arrival of Juan Castillo."
Should have bought/loaned a proper LB in the summer rather than some unfit 31 year old.
Another failure of our recruitment in the summer.
We could have got a L1 proven & younger Ogilvie or Seddon in the summer on a free instead we waited until the last minute for a lesser player who wasn’t fit.
Its transfer like Soure that make you question our strategy. Hopefully someone in France takes him off our hands
If you have got a squad of nearly 30 players you have got to have someway of getting them and keeping them match fit. I don't know, something like a reserve team might be a good idea.
How many games are you realistically going to get though? With a packed first team schedule and U23 games, you're not going to get more than 3/4 games a season. Plus who do you play? I guess we could play Brentford a few times a season as I don't know of any other teams who want reserve fixtures.
Couldn't we use the u23s more to keep players fit? You can play 3, I think, over age players plus a keeper. I am not suggesting playing a team full of fringe players but you can't have players going months without a game.
Agreed, I don't think we utilise it well. Players coming back from injury like Lavelle recently have obviously played, but don't get why players like Souare, Arter, Watson, Kirk and CBT haven't played.
Gunter has been nothing other than a massive disappointment. But his age has had nothing to do with it.
Watson was no where near as bad as some people say he was last season and was part of our best midfield then.
Now he seems to have taken up the Andy Hughes role of coaching from the touch line when he is "warming up". I think it says a lot that Jackson has named him in every match day squad but never actually used him.
I always assume Watson being at least on the bench is contractual
One thing for me is that the recruitment team have taken so many risks over the last 2-3 years.
Look at Soure on paper. Awful career limiting injury and then 20 or so games in 5 years.
Why would you take that risk? Especially as said there were proven L1 left backs out there also on frees.
Going forward we need to be taking less of these risks and in my opinion start bringing in players based on what they can do rather than ‘big names’ that have or used to do it.
Because other options were limited. We signed the guy outside of a transfer window when we needed a left back. What other options were there. On a 1 year deal, it was a low risk signing. It's failed, but it was still low risk
hopefully ts has learned from the last summer window and we won't have to make these type of signings out side of the window ever again!
Is that right though? I think a few posters said we had a LB on loan ready to go but wanted to keep a slot for the keeper (in case we needed an emergency loan) but we had Henderson training with us before the window shut. So they were either just incorrect or we made a poor decision. Either way, the decision not to sign the left back was arguably the worst of all. You say we signed the guy outside of a transfer window and I agree at the time of signing Souare we had little choice. However, we needed a left back long before that point in time so it was a terrible decision to leave it that late.
Comments
No problem with this, plus he could play some games for the U23 similar to what Andrew Croft was doing for Brighton when he is/was a playing coach.
Some teams feel it good to have a young Coach in mid 30's playing and coaching in matches for U23.
What Adkins failed to understand when he would always pick Watson over Dobson was Watson got to the ball too late despite being half decent still when he was on the ball.
Dobson have been a revelation since getting back in and has even got the majority of CL agreeing for once with his clear lead up to now in the POTY when he is clear with one circuit to go.
Ben Watson had a good career but it was a retrograde step when he got picked for Cafc despite having good games and I'm sure he could be a decent coach if he has the ability to pass on his vast knowledge of the last 18 years.
We don't seem to give anyone a proper chance to succeed.
It absolutely was a gamble and absolutely has not come off but if it had it could have proven a smart bit of business.
Unfortunately other that his first half dozen apps he has been disappointing and age isn't the issue.
More the Fact that we want wingbacks.
Shaw, Chilwell, Walker or James (dream on Sam) would be my choices but we will have to settle for League 1 level with potential to improve.
Can DJ, Leko or CBT really consistently cover in this super fit position ( wing backs) as they are more wingers than backs. TBF all have had decent games in this new position for them, but it will be hit and miss.
( Just like when they are out and out wide men)
the problem was giving them 2 year deals. I'm assuming they wouldn't have signed for a year at the time. Now we are lumbered until the summer which slows down our rebuild, unless we accept that we are going to pay them and not register them in the squad.
Dobson probably shouldn't have played against Wigan but as we only had 3 fit midfielders he had to.
He then should have come back into the team earlier than he did, he got semi permanently binned after the Wycombe game, which was a car crash through no fault of Dobson's (Watson didn't play in that either). As that was also the start of DJ's "walking is brilliant" caused exile is suspect that's when the dressing room became, if not lost, at least missing.
I was very sceptical at the time with the Souare signing, based on his fitness record after his terrible accident, so that's far less of a disappointment for me. I would have preferred another PL loanee (like JDS and Maatsen) something we now have.
Watson was no where near as bad as some people say he was last season and was part of our best midfield then.
Now he seems to have taken up the Andy Hughes role of coaching from the touch line when he is "warming up". I think it says a lot that Jackson has named him in every match day squad but never actually used him.
> Yes, that our CM options are very thin.
Look at Soure on paper. Awful career limiting injury and then 20 or so games in 5 years.
Why would you take that risk? Especially as said there were proven L1 left backs out there also on frees.
Going forward we need to be taking less of these risks and in my opinion start bringing in players based on what they can do rather than ‘big names’ that have or used to do it.
hopefully ts has learned from the last summer window and we won't have to make these type of signings out side of the window ever again!