We're looking to strengthen the positions of our two most injury prone players. Hopefully we can get to January without another left back.
I'd be surprised if the Centre-Back we're chasing isnt someone who can play Left-Back if needed - To be fair though; Clayden hasn't really put a foot wrong defensively for us, so think he deserves to remain as backup until January at the very least
We don't need another lump like Bonne up front, we need a mobile forward like Taylor (but not him)
Bonne is mobile, he doesn’t perfectly fit the system but we can’t be too picky at this level and he’s a decent all-round striker which is what we need. His link up play and passing isn’t quite good enough but he’s more mobile and good at pressing. He was dreadful against us in the cup recently but I’m sure given a few more minutes he’d get back to his old self. His style is a lot closer to Taylor (but not as good) than it is to Stockley
I know it wouldn’t be a popular signing but he would definitely score more than Stockley in league 1 with this team. He got double figures in the championship for us and that was his first season playing above non-league level. When Taylor was injured he was sometimes playing up front on his own as well. I’d take him back and I bet whoever we do end up signing isn’t as good as Bonne
If Bonne is the answer, there's something wrong with the question.
Doesn’t look a worse signing than the others mentioned in the last couple of pages and scored a few at a higher level. I think Garner could make him a better player and he can finish.
Last season he had a worse goal return per shot than Jayden Stockley, was involved less in the build-up, won less aerial duals and was less effective at pressing and challenging than JS too.
He is worse than what we have, and I don't rate what we have.
Bar Smith and May I'm struggling to think of other options , Matty Stevens at FGR I think is still out injured so won't be him.
Would be surprised if it was Jephcott or Ryan Hardie from Plymouth.
Smith looked rubbish for Cambridge at our place the other week.
I’m hoping it’s Daniel Udoh. Good age, strong & very much fits in with ‘running in behind’ (that’s what his game is all about).
He picked up a knock on Saturday though….maybe we’re waiting for the all clear on that (rather than waiting to sell players) before we can finalise a move…I hope!
Best realistic option I can think of.
Funny how we all see things differently. My Dad had mentioned Smith to me as a possible forward signing so I paid a bit more attention that I normally would. He got into good positions, drifted out wide on occasions, linked up play well and was always available for teammates. I thought he had a decent game and he does score goals. A better fit in our current system than Stockley.
I think if we are going to spend money, which it looks like we are on a striker if the rumors be true, it will be on someone who we can look to develop further and sell on for a profit.
So that will discount out Stockton and May for me.
28 and 29 respectively, so hardly in "final contract before they decline" territory
If either were to hit the ground running with us, they'd be worth more next summer than we paid
Where as I do understand your point I personally feel like there are to many variables with that sort of player and at that sort of age where it is worth the financial risk.
Of course every signing presents a risk. However in your scenario you are presuming that their last season was not a one off, and that then we will be in a position where we are happy to sell a player who has scored goals at League One level two years in a row (presumably because we have been promoted), and that a team are willing to pay money for a 29 or 30 year old instead of someone younger.
If both these players don't hit double figures goals, which they have barely done in their career previously, we will be left with a 29 and 30 year old who other teams won't want to pay for.
My feelings is that with 'younger talented player' in the 22 - 25 range, like a Sam Smith, they have more chance of developing for one, and there's more chance a lean season won't be held against them, and that they might develop and perform again the following year.
Think a Charlie Kirk. If Stockton/May came down an had a first season like Kirk did, it feels like there would be no real coming back from it. If we were paying a fee, I would much rather do that on someone like McKirdy.
That’s about as good a statement as can be. Obviously, it massively leaves the board vulnerable if deadline day ends as a damp squib.
Regardless of how the window ends, we’ve had a good window. We’ve got a set play style, we’ve recruited for that. We got the vast majority of our business done before the start to the season, we’re now looking for squad depth, not desperate to fill holes in the system.
We might not get promoted, but we’re certainly moving in the the right direction (in terms of recruitment).
Fans have zero impact on business. Calm down and enjoy the ride.
Moving in the right direction in terms of our thinking. But cutting the budget year on year trying to break even is going to reduce our chances of promotion year on year in the future. If we don’t go up this year (hopefully we do but I think it’s unlikely) then we cut the budget further then we will be drifting back away from the top 6 and into mid table again. We’ve had a good summer but it will be wasted if we don’t have that little bit more backing that would give us a really good chance
Agree.
The break even mantra is as ridiculous as "blow the league away".
There's nothing wrong in the statement from Sandgaard regarding the possible signings other than it should be the manager or the head of recruitment saying that, not the owner.
The break even over two seasons? What does that even actually mean?
At the moment it seems taking sponsorship from dodgy NFT pyramid schemes and sacking non-playing staff at the training ground and the Valley.
The laudable attempt to get cat 1 failed (and TS hasn't said why) so no extra money from EPL but lots of extra coaches etc hired to meet cat 1 requirements. They'll be gone soon IMHO.
Meanwhile at the Valley staff are hired and fired (or walk) in weeks or a few months as the Sandgaard’s lurch from boom to bust.
And the few long standing staff fear for their roles having seen Olly so shabbily treated.
The only veteran who has nothing to worry is the most incompetent but Tony Keohane knows how to do one thing very well and that kiss arse or should i say ass.
So, great, get that striker, get that centre back, both could be vital and we all, no matter what we think about the owner, want success on the pitch but I'd rather Thomas would STFU, let Garner and Gallen do their jobs without his interruptions and accept that running a league one football club is neither "easy" nor a business that will break even in this league or even the one above
Apologies. This is the rumours thread so WIOTOS
Regarding the Cat 1, watching the palarse academy documentary they sold that LB to Man U for £50M and then spent £30M on their academy. Our best chance of purchasing The Valley might be the sale of a superstar for similar around that price?
Well I’m going to moan even if I’m in the minority. I don’t like Sandgaards statement at all.We have moved from an objective of reaching Europe and the Premier League in 5 years (which is an ambitious football club objective) to’ we are going to break even or be cash neutral next year (which is a pretty negative business objective) They are 2 completely conflicting objectives. What has not losing money and cutting costs got to do with running a football club, particularly at such a low level as the 3rd division. The only place in football where you have the opportunity to break even or make money is the Premier League - unless you are aiming to be Accrington - which now appears to be Thomas’s new road map. With very few exceptions any kind of progress on the pitch is pretty much directly related to how much money you spend on the team. He is living in la la land if he thinks we can be successful on the pitch, cut costs and not lose money. They are mutually exclusive. Obviously its conceivable that we’ve just employed the next Brian Clough or that we are going to be incredibly lucky but the likelihood is that we haven’t and wont be. Let’s see what happens by close of play Thursday but given the mood music I think we are all hoping against expectation. Whilst generally well meaning Sandgaard seems likely to be yet another disappointing owner in the long line since our Premiership days.
The biggest reining in of ambition / expectation ever?
That’s about as good a statement as can be. Obviously, it massively leaves the board vulnerable if deadline day ends as a damp squib.
Regardless of how the window ends, we’ve had a good window. We’ve got a set play style, we’ve recruited for that. We got the vast majority of our business done before the start to the season, we’re now looking for squad depth, not desperate to fill holes in the system.
We might not get promoted, but we’re certainly moving in the the right direction (in terms of recruitment).
Fans have zero impact on business. Calm down and enjoy the ride.
Moving in the right direction in terms of our thinking. But cutting the budget year on year trying to break even is going to reduce our chances of promotion year on year in the future. If we don’t go up this year (hopefully we do but I think it’s unlikely) then we cut the budget further then we will be drifting back away from the top 6 and into mid table again. We’ve had a good summer but it will be wasted if we don’t have that little bit more backing that would give us a really good chance
Agree.
The break even mantra is as ridiculous as "blow the league away".
There's nothing wrong in the statement from Sandgaard regarding the possible signings other than it should be the manager or the head of recruitment saying that, not the owner.
The break even over two seasons? What does that even actually mean?
At the moment it seems taking sponsorship from dodgy NFT pyramid schemes and sacking non-playing staff at the training ground and the Valley.
The laudable attempt to get cat 1 failed (and TS hasn't said why) so no extra money from EPL but lots of extra coaches etc hired to meet cat 1 requirements. They'll be gone soon IMHO.
Meanwhile at the Valley staff are hired and fired (or walk) in weeks or a few months as the Sandgaard’s lurch from boom to bust.
And the few long standing staff fear for their roles having seen Olly so shabbily treated.
The only veteran who has nothing to worry is the most incompetent but Tony Keohane knows how to do one thing very well and that kiss arse or should i say ass.
So, great, get that striker, get that centre back, both could be vital and we all, no matter what we think about the owner, want success on the pitch but I'd rather Thomas would STFU, let Garner and Gallen do their jobs without his interruptions and accept that running a league one football club is neither "easy" nor a business that will break even in this league or even the one above
Apologies. This is the rumours thread so WIOTOS
Regarding the Cat 1, watching the palarse academy documentary they sold that LB to Man U for £50M and then spent £30M on their academy. Our best chance of purchasing The Valley might be the sale of a superstar for similar around that price?
yeah but which 50mil superstar shall we sell first? Mac or DJ?
Slams shut Couldn’t get it over the line We were very close One or two He felt it wasn’t right for him Loan window opens soon We wish him all the best Exciting young players pushing to be involved Happy with the squad overall
That’s about as good a statement as can be. Obviously, it massively leaves the board vulnerable if deadline day ends as a damp squib.
Regardless of how the window ends, we’ve had a good window. We’ve got a set play style, we’ve recruited for that. We got the vast majority of our business done before the start to the season, we’re now looking for squad depth, not desperate to fill holes in the system.
We might not get promoted, but we’re certainly moving in the the right direction (in terms of recruitment).
Fans have zero impact on business. Calm down and enjoy the ride.
Moving in the right direction in terms of our thinking. But cutting the budget year on year trying to break even is going to reduce our chances of promotion year on year in the future. If we don’t go up this year (hopefully we do but I think it’s unlikely) then we cut the budget further then we will be drifting back away from the top 6 and into mid table again. We’ve had a good summer but it will be wasted if we don’t have that little bit more backing that would give us a really good chance
Agree.
The break even mantra is as ridiculous as "blow the league away".
There's nothing wrong in the statement from Sandgaard regarding the possible signings other than it should be the manager or the head of recruitment saying that, not the owner.
The break even over two seasons? What does that even actually mean?
At the moment it seems taking sponsorship from dodgy NFT pyramid schemes and sacking non-playing staff at the training ground and the Valley.
The laudable attempt to get cat 1 failed (and TS hasn't said why) so no extra money from EPL but lots of extra coaches etc hired to meet cat 1 requirements. They'll be gone soon IMHO.
Meanwhile at the Valley staff are hired and fired (or walk) in weeks or a few months as the Sandgaard’s lurch from boom to bust.
And the few long standing staff fear for their roles having seen Olly so shabbily treated.
The only veteran who has nothing to worry is the most incompetent but Tony Keohane knows how to do one thing very well and that kiss arse or should i say ass.
So, great, get that striker, get that centre back, both could be vital and we all, no matter what we think about the owner, want success on the pitch but I'd rather Thomas would STFU, let Garner and Gallen do their jobs without his interruptions and accept that running a league one football club is neither "easy" nor a business that will break even in this league or even the one above
Apologies. This is the rumours thread so WIOTOS
Regarding the Cat 1, watching the palarse academy documentary they sold that LB to Man U for £50M and then spent £30M on their academy. Our best chance of purchasing The Valley might be the sale of a superstar for similar around that price?
You only get the big money if you're in the PL. Until then all you have to offer is players who look good in the lower leagues
Can’t knock Bonne’s effort and graft but I don’t see him having a good enough touch to suit Garnerball. That and he needs too many chances to score. We had a result in selling him for far too much. Let’s not go back to someone we know damned well isn’t good enough.
We're looking to strengthen the positions of our two most injury prone players. Hopefully we can get to January without another left back.
I'd be surprised if the Centre-Back we're chasing isnt someone who can play Left-Back if needed - To be fair though; Clayden hasn't really put a foot wrong defensively for us, so think he deserves to remain as backup until January at the very least
Toby Bower is an excellent left back in the Under 18s/21s.
i have put my hands up to not having an extensive knowledge of current players but anybody who thinks only inexperienced youth or past it players are the only thing available to us because we are in league 1 need to either stop splitting hairs or realise they aren't the experts they think they are
But that's not what anyone is saying!!!
Your taking a gamble who ever you sign. They will either be on the way up, or on the way down. They could be an Ajose they could be a Yann. They could be a Paul Williams, they could be a Stuart Fleetwood.
Totally agree, that's why I was surprised you were critical of Steve Gallen as you have explained, every signing is a gamble especially when on many occasions we are not getting our first choice but our 4th or 5th. Leaving it to the last day when you want a forward is always difficult and if the two obvious players don't leave: Gilbey and JFC, then yet again, will be struggling as Ben Garner won't have the players to suit his 4-3-3, If it's quid pro quo now for Thomas Sandgaard. Just like JJ didn't have the best players for his 3-5-2 which made his W6 L2 D2 from his first 10 matches amazing but the problem was he overachieved with our worse squad ever(not my words just saying what the echo chamber on CL said) and when we got to 11th from 22nd we didn't have the quality to go higher with no natural *wing backs to name just one position we were short in for a top 6 finish.
Ben Garner will feel frustrated when the window shuts as he realises the impact of having injury prone players and not getting the quality in to compete for 46 matches in the competitive but mediocre 3rd tier.
Peterborough are the kings of getting in forwards from the lower leagues over the last two decades.
*I said a year ago that Sean Clare would turn into an attacking right full back and pleased that Sean is happy to play that position now. He has pace and can go charging forward it was a no brainer for me once he didn't have to cover a CB role.
Our league position and achievements are put into perspective when it's proving hard to get rid of McG, JFC, Gilbey, DJ (borderline) who over the last season(s) have been core players in the starting 11.
Sam Smith looks decent 19 in 52 is not a bad return and at 24, has a few years before his prime.
Stockton is in his prime - or should be... Yet to score this season.
Alfie May is meant to be in his prime, is he injured this season?
Stockton has had 2 starts one bench appearance in a team that's scored just 3 league goals this season. Morecambe have had less shots than all but 2 teams this season too, so its not profligacy on his part.
If established is the only requirement, here are semi-realistic options from the top 20 League One scorers from last season (some are now in the Championship, some are midfielders etc):
- Alfie May - Cole Stockton - Matty Taylor - Ryan Hardie - Sam Smith - George Hirst (already on his way to the Championship apparently) - Jayden Stockley - Joe Ironside - Daniel Udoh - Mo Eisa - Macauley Bonne
Taylor, Hardie and Eisa all feel like a stretch and probably out of the question. Bonne, Smith and Ironside would appear to be the most "gettable" outside of the bloke who's already on our books.
How many fit the description of having pace and running in behind?
Daniel Udoh?
Daniel Udoh was 26 yesterday, 6ft tall, plays for Shrewsbury and hasn't scored in 5 League games this season. Best season was 11 goals in 35 matches. I had to check but mainly remember him for scoring a goal for the Shrews against Liverpool.
As we are beginning to realize it's not an exact science with strikers who are 26 and haven't done too much. Lyle Taylor had to try Scotland as his career was going no where in his mid 20's.
The reality must kick in soon with Charlton fans that we are League 1 and losing money and support who ever we can manage to bring in and support the players at least at the ground as they need to be built up not destroyed.
I'm not optimistic in this window as it shuts, as the brinkmanship kicks in big time with bids to unsettle and test the mettle of clubs with incomings and outgoings.
Comments
He is worse than what we have, and I don't rate what we have.
Of course every signing presents a risk. However in your scenario you are presuming that their last season was not a one off, and that then we will be in a position where we are happy to sell a player who has scored goals at League One level two years in a row (presumably because we have been promoted), and that a team are willing to pay money for a 29 or 30 year old instead of someone younger.
If both these players don't hit double figures goals, which they have barely done in their career previously, we will be left with a 29 and 30 year old who other teams won't want to pay for.
My feelings is that with 'younger talented player' in the 22 - 25 range, like a Sam Smith, they have more chance of developing for one, and there's more chance a lean season won't be held against them, and that they might develop and perform again the following year.
Think a Charlie Kirk. If Stockton/May came down an had a first season like Kirk did, it feels like there would be no real coming back from it. If we were paying a fee, I would much rather do that on someone like McKirdy.
Slams shut
Couldn’t get it over the line
We were very close
One or two
He felt it wasn’t right for him
Loan window opens soon
We wish him all the best
Exciting young players pushing to be involved
Happy with the squad overall
Rich Cawley at 8.30 tomorrow night after we announce the sale of Miles Leaburn to Palace for 750k
Can see the sense in DJ out and a striker who can play wide coming in.
Totally agree, that's why I was surprised you were critical of Steve Gallen as you have explained, every signing is a gamble especially when on many occasions we are not getting our first choice but our 4th or 5th. Leaving it to the last day when you want a forward is always difficult and if the two obvious players don't leave: Gilbey and JFC, then yet again, will be struggling as Ben Garner won't have the players to suit his 4-3-3, If it's quid pro quo now for Thomas Sandgaard.
Just like JJ didn't have the best players for his 3-5-2 which made his W6 L2 D2 from his first 10 matches amazing but the problem was he overachieved with our worse squad ever(not my words just saying what the echo chamber on CL said) and when we got to 11th from 22nd we didn't have the quality to go higher with no natural *wing backs to name just one position we were short in for a top 6 finish.
Ben Garner will feel frustrated when the window shuts as he realises the impact of having injury prone players and not getting the quality in to compete for 46 matches in the competitive but mediocre 3rd tier.
Peterborough are the kings of getting in forwards from the lower leagues over the last two decades.
*I said a year ago that Sean Clare would turn into an attacking right full back and pleased that Sean is happy to play that position now. He has pace and can go charging forward it was a no brainer for me once he didn't have to cover a CB role.
Stockton is in his prime - or should be... Yet to score this season.
Alfie May is meant to be in his prime, is he injured this season?
Sam Smith however, does. From TS’s POV.
Daniel Udoh was 26 yesterday, 6ft tall, plays for Shrewsbury and hasn't scored in 5 League games this season. Best season was 11 goals in 35 matches. I had to check but mainly remember him for scoring a goal for the Shrews against Liverpool.
As we are beginning to realize it's not an exact science with strikers who are 26 and haven't done too much. Lyle Taylor had to try Scotland as his career was going no where in his mid 20's.
The reality must kick in soon with Charlton fans that we are League 1 and losing money and support who ever we can manage to bring in and support the players at least at the ground as they need to be built up not destroyed.
I'm not optimistic in this window as it shuts, as the brinkmanship kicks in big time with bids to unsettle and test the mettle of clubs with incomings and outgoings.