Not bothering with reading the 600+ posts since i went to bed, and reading the post headlines assume all went according to plan then and we got sod all as usual..not even Bonne...🤷♂️ WHY ARE WE SO BLOODY PREDICTABLE EVERY WINDOW..we must be the laughing stock of our neighbours and we all know who they are...God I am so pissed off....
Not pleased with the depth of squad it’s short like it has been for the last few years. I wasn’t impressed with the capture of garner and said he would be gone by Christmas.
But what I’ve seen so far he and the team have impressed me he had gone the same formation as Adkins and I feared the worse.
But unlike Adkins team we look like we can score.
The wide players are getting in at the far post which didn’t happen before the full backs are over lapping or inverting with the wide players.
(Under Adkins they got to half way line then started playing backwards. ) The youngsters(Clayden leaburn) have come into the team and looked so confident you think they had played 50 games.
Morgan looks more confident under garner.
Stockley isnt going to score 20 goals under this system but don’t mean his not doing a job at Wycombe he had the 2 centre backs all over him. If his taking 2 players out the game his doing a job for me. We’ve had big centre forwards before that haven’t hit 20 goals in a season and got promoted (John Pearson leaburn senior) it’s not the system stockley will want to play but under garner it looks possible we look threatening where with Adkins we didn’t.
Praise to garner impressed me so far but his got a limited budget. It’s nothing new at Charlton curbs and gritt had it Lennie had it it’s nothing new and in the way the economy is going I can’t blame Thomas for tightening his belt.
Against the odds is how it always been at Charlton.
We are running a real risk of Leaburn putting himself in the December shop window.
Maybe that's part of the plan.
Oh well, at least Charlton Life has had a wakeup call from debates like whether we would take Taylor back etc. We are not a club on any player's radar of interest.
So we have two EFL clubs 12 miles distant, presumably with good direct lines of communication and possibly with contacts who know each other. And yet the deal still collapses at the last minute in the dead of night?
My suspicions would be aroused if the deal couldn't be completed by midday - or at least during office hours. Would like to think feelers were going out for options B,C and D by mid afternoon - assuming there were other options?
Sadly it has become obvious that we have a Rock n Roll EGO bullshit owner who is no where near as Rich as people think he is. certainly not Rich enough to take CAFC back to the Championship let alone the premier league . Notts Forest for example bring in 19/20 players that is what a Real Rich owner can do.
We have needed a proper Striker for a long time and Eventually our new young Manager will get very frustrated on promises from our Full of Bullshit owner !!
On wednesday night we saw how good some of our youngsters are.As long as we dont get a mass of injuries to senior players,these lads can step in and play alongside and will not look out of place.Would Bonne score more goals than Leaburn this year,would a journeyman CB be better cover than Ness.Henry looks as though he is waiting for that opportunity of a run in the team.Used correctly these lads will do the job ,no panic from me over the non signings.
I agree but is Ness ready to play a dozen games in league one?
Henry is a real prospect but is he yet strong enough? And remember how he gave the ball away on Wednesday.
Gillingham were terrible, the kids won't face many sides that poor.
And we already have a mass of injuries CBT Sessegnon McGrandles Aneke Egbo Inniss
Whilst busy navel gazing at matter's Charlton yesterday, I paid little attention to what was happening at other Club's. If there are a number of players under contract for the remainder of this season who are unwanted by their Club and don't want to be there, eg Bonne, is it not possible some could become free agents if a mutual agreement can be reached to cancel their contracts. Don't know how many might be in this boat, but if we move too quickly 🤣 we might miss out on those who become available.
Absolutely shocked about yesterday. Was expecting 2X incomings (as per rumours) so was feeling relatively confident about the squad, even though I thought we could do with another experienced LB and perhaps a different option in CM. To sign no-one did not even cross my mind.
The squad is now woefully thin, especially in CB - if O'C or Lavelle get injured, we are genuinely struggling to fill that gap which is inexcusable. The window started well - we seemed to be going about our business professionally, signing players carefully to fit the system. It's ended like a horror show. Why leave it until the last minute? I do not understand.
Anyhow, moving swiftly on - free agents - Vyrda and Winnall - any other options?
Well, transfer deadline day, what's to be said. I think I will borrow a phrase from an "expert" talking about Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It's a self-licking ice-cream cone of failure.
Buy an expensive car but don't bother with a spare tyre or breakdown cover as they cost a lot and you might not need them.
Yet again Sandgaard over promises and under delivers.
And I don't just mean Thomas.
Martin was telling all and sundry, it seems, on Wednesday night about McG turning down a move to Wrexham and that Clare was available for £2m plus we were after this and that. Did he learn nothing from the Washington fiasco?
Meanwhile, Thomas was giving unnecessary updates on the OS before the window had closed.
Yes, deals fall through, yes, every team's fans (bar Forest) always want one more signing than they get but while this is a decent squad and can, bar the injuries already plaguing it, compete it has obvious weaknesses, acknowledged by TS in his latest vanity statement, that haven't been addressed.
The whole break even mantra is nonsense as it's based as much on increasing income as reducing costs but the club just lost its third biggest sponsor (Sandgaard’s words) in Robots DAO, an ill thought out and damaging deal that smacked of desperation and lack of diligence anyway.
Fill the Valley. Admirable but unrealistic especially given the ticket prices so that just leaves cuts in spending.
And the only place where significant savings can be made, because it is by far the biggest area of spending, is player costs.
And if you cut player spending then you end up with a half decent squad but without experienced cover up front or on one side of defence relying on very promising but as yet untested kids to fill the gaps.
Which is where we are, sadly but unnecessarily, now.
Supporting Charlton has rarely been easy and this is not the worst team or the worst situation even in this century but it is still bloody depressing when you realise how close we could be with just a little less conversation and a little more, positive, action, please.
The recent history of our club is of missed opportunities. The goal is open for a split second and we baloon it over the bar. Powell, Bowyer and now Garner just needed a bit of backing. Nothing silly, but sensible targeted backing.
Absolutely shocked about yesterday. Was expecting 2X incomings (as per rumours) so was feeling relatively confident about the squad, even though I thought we could do with another experienced LB and perhaps a different option in CM. To sign no-one did not even cross my mind.
The squad is now woefully thin, especially in CB - if O'C or Lavelle get injured, we are genuinely struggling to fill that gap which is inexcusable. The window started well - we seemed to be going about our business professionally, signing players carefully to fit the system. It's ended like a horror show. Why leave it until the last minute? I do not understand.
Anyhow, moving swiftly on - free agents - Vyrda and Winnall - any other options?
whatever way people want to dress it up, its been a really shit end to the window and i think it says a lot about Sandgaard and his ideas of running a club. I also think it shows that he has no money and short term , we are going to have to make do. Its up to us now though to get behind the manager and players because actually, we havent made a bad start and there has been some promising signs. We have to stick by them and give them the chance to show us what they can do.
A new premier League standard recruitment system (Sandgaards words) bumbles 7 free transfers over the line. Gets shot of possibly our best striking option and plays hardball until deadline day for a b lister we got rid of two seasons ago. And fails
Buy an expensive car but don't bother with a spare tyre or breakdown cover as they cost a lot and you might not need them.
Yet again Sandgaard over promises and under delivers.
And I don't just mean Thomas.
Martin was telling all and sundry, it seems, on Wednesday night about McG turning down a move to Wrexham and that Clare was available for £2m plus we were after this and that. Did he learn nothing from the Washington fiasco?
Meanwhile, Thomas was giving unnecessary updates on the OS before the window had closed.
Yes, deals fall through, yes, every team's fans (bar Forest) always want one more signing than they get but while this is a decent squad and can, bar the injuries already plaguing it, compete it has obvious weaknesses, acknowledged by TS in his latest vanity statement, that haven't been addressed.
The whole break even mantra is nonsense as it's based as much on increasing income as reducing costs but the club just lost its third biggest sponsor (Sandgaard’s words) in Robots DAO, an ill thought out and damaging deal that smacked of desperation and lack of diligence anyway.
Fill the Valley. Admirable but unrealistic especially given the ticket prices so that just leaves cuts in spending.
And the only place where significant savings can be made, because it is by far the biggest area of spending, is player costs.
And if you cut player spending then you end up with a half decent squad but without experienced cover up front or on one side of defence relying on very promising but as yet untested kids to fill the gaps.
Which is where we are, sadly but unnecessarily, now.
Supporting Charlton has rarely been easy and this is not the worst team or the worst situation even in this century but it is still bloody depressing when you realise how close we could be with just a little less conversation and a little more, positive, action, please.
Great perspective. The frustration for me isn’t that the Bonne deal fell through, it’s that we left it this late to bring him in, and our whole move for him was reactive and a bit of a panic move. I like Bonne, I think he did okay for us in the championship and would’ve provided an okay alternative to Stockley, but to take it back a step, it looks as though the set up with Stockley in a 3 may not work based on the first few games, and that’s where the bigger questions should be asked.
I could be wrong, but he has 0/6 from open play and I think he struggles in this set up. That’s on BG as well. If he’s come in adamant that’s our style, then you need to try and get players to fit it. I know he’s not been given money to spend and has been working within a budget, so that constrains him, which brings me back to Henry’s post.
The problem with TS is that he doesn’t really know much about football, let alone running a club. I am eternally grateful for the financial support, but being 2 years in now, it’s clear that we initially threw money and positivity at it, but that’s not worked, and the realisation of what he now owns and has to fund has it home.
TS has to his credit spent decent money on fees for players, but think what an additional £300k could’ve meant this summer if we hadn’t of wasted it in Jan bringing back Aneke. It’s a small example, but a very good one, because it shows how haphazard I think we are when it comes to transfers. As much as I like the additions this season, our transfer policy has been 3 free transfers from Swindon, one from Rochdale and one from a team that finished below us in League One. They may all go on to have decent seasons, but it’s risky.
someone mentioned Wrexham’s set up and their owners not having much of an idea about running the club and appointing someone that does. That’s exactly what we needed to do 2 years ago. It’s a bit too late now
Our transfer windows shine a light on how disorganized we are imo. Remember the scramble last year to bring in Lee, Arter and Leko. We had another scramble last night to bring reactive signings in and shift a few surplus to requirements out. I know a lot of other clubs face the same and it’s the nature of the window, it just seems like messy Groundhog Day for us every year, and highlights the lack of focus/direction
Buy an expensive car but don't bother with a spare tyre or breakdown cover as they cost a lot and you might not need them.
Yet again Sandgaard over promises and under delivers.
And I don't just mean Thomas.
Martin was telling all and sundry, it seems, on Wednesday night about McG turning down a move to Wrexham and that Clare was available for £2m plus we were after this and that. Did he learn nothing from the Washington fiasco?
Meanwhile, Thomas was giving unnecessary updates on the OS before the window had closed.
Yes, deals fall through, yes, every team's fans (bar Forest) always want one more signing than they get but while this is a decent squad and can, bar the injuries already plaguing it, compete it has obvious weaknesses, acknowledged by TS in his latest vanity statement, that haven't been addressed.
The whole break even mantra is nonsense as it's based as much on increasing income as reducing costs but the club just lost its third biggest sponsor (Sandgaard’s words) in Robots DAO, an ill thought out and damaging deal that smacked of desperation and lack of diligence anyway.
Fill the Valley. Admirable but unrealistic especially given the ticket prices so that just leaves cuts in spending.
And the only place where significant savings can be made, because it is by far the biggest area of spending, is player costs.
And if you cut player spending then you end up with a half decent squad but without experienced cover up front or on one side of defence relying on very promising but as yet untested kids to fill the gaps.
Which is where we are, sadly but unnecessarily, now.
Supporting Charlton has rarely been easy and this is not the worst team or the worst situation even in this century but it is still bloody depressing when you realise how close we could be with just a little less conversation and a little more, positive, action, please.
The recent history of our club is of missed opportunities. The goal is open for a split second and we baloon it over the bar. Powell, Bowyer and now Garner just needed a bit of backing. Nothing silly, but sensible targeted backing.
Have to say I’m not really on board with the Garner will have to ‘perform a miracle’ discourse to get us out of this league.
Think it does a disservice to the talent we have in our squad, in our youth, and his ability as a manager. From what I’ve seen this season I think we are still going to be very competitive this year, and it will be that talent, hard work and good coaching that get us promoted - if it does happen.
The miracle will be keeping Aneke fit, and not having any other big injuries/suspensions in the squad. We are Inniss being injured, and a CB then getting suspended away from potentially having to overuse a youth player in a tough run of fixtures.
No money was spent from the Pope transfer. How long did Garner say we’re not getting a striker? All of a sudden we need one and we was pissing about with Bonne with no plan B. If we get injuries up top or defensively we’re going to fall very short.
We won’t be challenging for promotion in comparison to the likes of Ipswich, Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth, Derby etc who have actually spent some money.
This club can’t afford to stay a League one club forever!!!
I've lost complete faith in the ITK'ers, don't blame you guys but it's clear your sources know fuck all (including Martin Sandgaard)
People can be in the know about whats potentially happening in the background
But until it happens a lot can change - No wonder less and less people on here are sharing information they're aware of, if they're gonna get stick when it doesnt happen
Hmmm.
Might be worth checking what Martin actually told several Lifers at last night's game.
Sounded to me as though he was 100% certain of his facts on the transfer front.
Now IF he was a bona fide employee at our club, he might have found that his salary had suddenly become "too rich" in the current economic climate ( at CAFC )
Until the Contract is signed any number of things can happen
Martin is a twat for thinking he was 100% certain, but until its on the O/S anyone is an idiot for believing that.
It should always be appreciated if a Lifer passes on the information they've heard, but again it should never be taken as gospel and those who pass the information on should never be moaned at until its on the OS
I was clearly referring to the naivety of the owner's son , NOT the reports of his words last night.
According to you, there appears to be a number of idiots on the site that you monitor....
None of us was born yesterday , you know....
You sure about that... Good number of people are trying to act like it, you know...
You really have got it in for me tonight, FA.
I'd charge you with reading back over every post in this lengthy & ultimately disappointing thread and tell me whether there are more Lifers questioning the merits & backing of our owner at this crucial time of the new season, than there are those confident that he has it all in hand.
I'm not saying that some comments about the lack of incoming are a touch OTT but I'm sure you might agree that the football supporter is an emotional being and the wellbeing of his/her/it's football club is very high on their list of priorities. This is why we spend our hard earned on tickets, travel, even hospitality in some cases and all we ask is honesty & a degree of success year on year in return. Emotions are bound to run high tonight based on the hopes we had just 24 hours ago following conversations with the owner's son... who is an adult with a "decent" CV , we are led to believe, and not a young man in his first job.
It would be an almost impossible task to forget those positive, exciting words uttered by out "Great Dane" when he first arrived in SE7 & although time getting to know him has somewhat dampened our hopes ( and dreams) , there will always be huge disappointment when things appear to be on a knife edge - even on a downward trajectory. With just ONE senior striker in the matchday squad , a highly promising Young Gun who those ITK state must not be overplayed plus an injury prone player whose ability to play a full game even when fit is doubtful, I suggest respectfully that you surely cannot be happy with that state of affairs. Ben Garner will need to be a magician of the highest order if he is to have any chance of conjuring enough goals from this line up to get us in the top 6 come May. I wish him well, of course & hope that somehow he will succeed.
Disappointed, concerned, angry plus the feeling of being misled - those are inevitably some of the emotions felt as the window slams shut with some expressing these feelings better than others. The old chestnut regarding "doing the transfer business " early has come back to haunt us again even though it appeared that lessons had been learned.
If it wasn't clear that TS is anxious to cut costs in any way possible, then the redundancy of Olly Groome should have made even the most sceptical of fans think again. The price of matchday tickets when announced, in itself, should have been a warning of his modus operandi but his lack of experience in the Beautiful Game plus his determination to do it his way should have been a distinct warning ...but some are determined not to question anything, it seems.
So, yes, I can fully understand why some of our Lifers might come across as less than level headed tonight.
It's called being an Addick - and wanting the best for our football club.
Now read back my original comment in this particular thread of quotes.
The very first line... "I've lost complete faith in the ITK'ers" is what I was replying to
My post in reply, which you needlessly decided to jump onboard was defending my fellow Addicks, as I dont like to see the likes of those who have provided information on this thread pulled up, when they're simply passing on what they've heard, if I translated DDOUBLEE's comments incorrectly then I apologise to him.
And yes I find OTT posts from grown adults idiotic, I understand emotion during an actual match, but not something like a Transfer - If that word offends people, then there really are some delicate characters in the world, especially given the insults that get thrown around by fans when a game doesnt go in their favour.
Let's be honest. We didn't appoint a manager until 8th June even though I firmly believe Sandgaard knew he wanted to change managers months before that. We were totally lethargic. There was no coherent plan. It won't ruin a season but it will immediately put us at a critical and fundamentally unnecessary disadvantage which we then need to work out how to overcome - especially when you factor in the high degree of squad churn and the total change in footballing style between JJ and Garner.
I'd like to get the odds on us struggling up front in the first half of the season and then forced by a combination of Aneke's injuries, deadline day disappointment and fan pressure; we decide to lash £400k at the nearest forward that moves and is available in lower L1/L2 - might work out/might not but it will be overpaying and a rush job compared to what long term, sustainable and strategic recruitment elongated throughout an entire summer would achieve.
We've spent decent fees in all Sandgaard's January windows so far (Schwartz, Aneke, Fraser) - I make it a reasonable likelihood.
Breaking even in this league for a club our size is less plausible than the plotlines of most Disney films. I don't want reckless spending but if the incumbents do not understand that they won't get into a viable break even territory (Championship) without sensible speculation to get there, or don't want to - please can they just come out and admit it.
Whilst busy navel gazing at matter's Charlton yesterday, I paid little attention to what was happening at other Club's. If there are a number of players under contract for the remainder of this season who are unwanted by their Club and don't want to be there, eg Bonne, is it not possible some could become free agents if a mutual agreement can be reached to cancel their contracts. Don't know how many might be in this boat, but if we move too quickly 🤣 we might miss out on those who become available.
They have to be released, so, unattached during the window in order to sign outside of it as a free.
Speculating about Stockton and May for the last few days and ending up with Bonne is like wanting a Sega Mega Drive for Christmas and ending up with a satsuma from the living room fruit bowl.
We are probably 1-2 seasons off of having a number of academy players ready to compete consistently at this level and higher. That's a really exciting prospect, especially with Garner bringing them into his system.
The worry for me now, given the model we seem to be falling into, is whether we'll be at to keep hold of them for any time (Garner included) and whether we'll get real value based on their potential if we do sell.
If we're looking to make short term savings, I think there's a risk of losing young talents before they realise their potential for the club, both in a football sense and financially.
Comments
WHY ARE WE SO BLOODY PREDICTABLE EVERY WINDOW..we must be the laughing stock of our neighbours and we all know who they are...God I am so pissed off....
he had gone the same formation as Adkins and I feared the worse.
The youngsters(Clayden leaburn) have come into the team and looked so confident you think they had played 50 games.
We’ve had big centre forwards before that haven’t hit 20 goals in a season and got promoted (John Pearson leaburn senior)
it’s not the system stockley will want to play but under garner it looks possible we look threatening where with Adkins we didn’t.
Maybe that's part of the plan.
Oh well, at least Charlton Life has had a wakeup call from debates like whether we would take Taylor back etc. We are not a club on any player's radar of interest.
My suspicions would be aroused if the deal couldn't be completed by midday - or at least during office hours. Would like to think feelers were going out for options B,C and D by mid afternoon - assuming there were other options?
certainly not Rich enough to take CAFC back to the Championship let alone the premier league
.
Notts Forest for example bring in 19/20 players that is what a Real Rich owner can do.
We have needed a proper Striker for a long time and Eventually our new young Manager will get very frustrated on promises from our Full of Bullshit owner !!
Henry is a real prospect but is he yet strong enough? And remember how he gave the ball away on Wednesday.
Gillingham were terrible, the kids won't face many sides that poor.
And we already have a mass of injuries
CBT
Sessegnon
McGrandles
Aneke
Egbo
Inniss
All out
The squad is now woefully thin, especially in CB - if O'C or Lavelle get injured, we are genuinely struggling to fill that gap which is inexcusable. The window started well - we seemed to be going about our business professionally, signing players carefully to fit the system. It's ended like a horror show. Why leave it until the last minute? I do not understand.
Anyhow, moving swiftly on - free agents - Vyrda and Winnall - any other options?
I can guess how much he paid for it.
I could be wrong, but he has 0/6 from open play and I think he struggles in this set up. That’s on BG as well. If he’s come in adamant that’s our style, then you need to try and get players to fit it. I know he’s not been given money to spend and has been working within a budget, so that constrains him, which brings me back to Henry’s post.
The problem with TS is that he doesn’t really know much about football, let alone running a club. I am eternally grateful for the financial support, but being 2 years in now, it’s clear that we initially threw money and positivity at it, but that’s not worked, and the realisation of what he now owns and has to fund has it home.
TS has to his credit spent decent money on fees for players, but think what an additional £300k could’ve meant this summer if we hadn’t of wasted it in Jan bringing back Aneke. It’s a small example, but a very good one, because it shows how haphazard I think we are when it comes to transfers. As much as I like the additions this season, our transfer policy has been 3 free transfers from Swindon, one from Rochdale and one from a team that finished below us in League One. They may all go on to have decent seasons, but it’s risky.
someone mentioned Wrexham’s set up and their owners not having much of an idea about running the club and appointing someone that does. That’s exactly what we needed to do 2 years ago. It’s a bit too late now
Our transfer windows shine a light on how disorganized we are imo. Remember the scramble last year to bring in Lee, Arter and Leko. We had another scramble last night to bring reactive signings in and shift a few surplus to requirements out. I know a lot of other clubs face the same and it’s the nature of the window, it just seems like messy Groundhog Day for us every year, and highlights the lack of focus/direction
Think it does a disservice to the talent we have in our squad, in our youth, and his ability as a manager. From what I’ve seen this season I think we are still going to be very competitive this year, and it will be that talent, hard work and good coaching that get us promoted - if it does happen.
No money was spent from the Pope transfer. How long did Garner say we’re not getting a striker? All of a sudden we need one and we was pissing about with Bonne with no plan B. If we get injuries up top or defensively we’re going to fall very short.
We won’t be challenging for promotion in comparison to the likes of Ipswich, Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth, Derby etc who have actually spent some money.
This club can’t afford to stay a League one club forever!!!
The very first line... "I've lost complete faith in the ITK'ers" is what I was replying to
My post in reply, which you needlessly decided to jump onboard was defending my fellow Addicks, as I dont like to see the likes of those who have provided information on this thread pulled up, when they're simply passing on what they've heard, if I translated DDOUBLEE's comments incorrectly then I apologise to him.
And yes I find OTT posts from grown adults idiotic, I understand emotion during an actual match, but not something like a Transfer - If that word offends people, then there really are some delicate characters in the world, especially given the insults that get thrown around by fans when a game doesnt go in their favour.
I'd like to get the odds on us struggling up front in the first half of the season and then forced by a combination of Aneke's injuries, deadline day disappointment and fan pressure; we decide to lash £400k at the nearest forward that moves and is available in lower L1/L2 - might work out/might not but it will be overpaying and a rush job compared to what long term, sustainable and strategic recruitment elongated throughout an entire summer would achieve.
We've spent decent fees in all Sandgaard's January windows so far (Schwartz, Aneke, Fraser) - I make it a reasonable likelihood.
Breaking even in this league for a club our size is less plausible than the plotlines of most Disney films. I don't want reckless spending but if the incumbents do not understand that they won't get into a viable break even territory (Championship) without sensible speculation to get there, or don't want to - please can they just come out and admit it.
They have to be released, so, unattached during the window in order to sign outside of it as a free.
Come on you free transfers! You’ve got this.
The worry for me now, given the model we seem to be falling into, is whether we'll be at to keep hold of them for any time (Garner included) and whether we'll get real value based on their potential if we do sell.
If we're looking to make short term savings, I think there's a risk of losing young talents before they realise their potential for the club, both in a football sense and financially.