At the request of
@Callumcafc - Although this could be the least serious of all my Match Previews
Dave sat down in the dark dingy corner of CharltonLife Towers with a sigh!!
There were leaks all over the place and he could hear the sound of a rusty key being turned as he was locked in the dungeon – It was only a trial he told himself... it wasn’t permanent… the joyful cries of
“freedom” from the three sun deprived souls who escaped the confines of the dark room, really didn’t fill him with confidence.
Even the determination of the short caretaker (they call them moderators here) to round them up, in
“no time at all”, left Dave longing desperately for happier times… Goals from Charlie Austin, the flying celebration of Jan Aage Fjortoft... In a roundabout way, those were the good old days!! - But Dave knew he had a job to do, if ever he wanted to return to familiar counties, he had to get this one job done.
Charlton tomorrow commence the first of their pre-season friendlies, with just 30-days before their opening encounter at Accrington, its important for new man: Ben Garner to get his squad into the best shape possible, and so make his own life easier when selecting his eleven players for the season ahead. Ahead of the team, are four first team friendlies, that will take them from the South of Spain, to sunnier climates in SE7, those sides being...
Kilmarnock: A side who return to the Scottish Premiership this season, having won the Scottish Championship last time out - This'll be their fourth game of the summer, given that the Scottish season starts next weekend - Manager: Derek McInnes will be familiar with Charlton, having faced the Addicks whilst managing: Bristol City between 2011-13; Oli Shaw will be the player to watch, and was top scorer for Killie last season with 14-goals.
Dartford: Upon our return to England, we make the short trip into Kent where the Darts await, its turning into a customary friendly these days, what with our U23s using Princes Park for their games - Dartford will surely be amongst the promotion challengers this season having missed out in the National League South Play-Offs last term - They have a new Manager in Alan Dowson, and will be hopeful of a first return to the Conference since 2015... Our clash will be Dartford's first pre-season game of the season, so the Addicks should be slightly ahead in preparation.
Sutton United: This could be one for the history books, but have these two sides ever met? - Sutton stepped up to the Football League last season, and narrowly missed out on the season extending Play-Offs - Manager: Matt Gray will be looking to take his squad one step further, but have already lost one key man in David Ajiboye to Peterborough United, whilst just one signing has currently been made: Sam Hart (Left-Back) was brought in from relegated: Oldham.
Swansea City: So with a week to go until the curtain raiser, we return to the Valley where we welcome Championship opposition... Russell Martin was appointed from Milton Keynes almost on the eve of the league season last term, the Welsh side will be looking to do better than mid-table this coming season, and have already made a number of signings in preparation for their campaign; including Harry Darling from Milton Keynes... Its not just Charlton Managers off on a raid.
So thats it, thats the preparation this Charlton side have as they ready themselves for an improved League One campaign... Its an opportunity for Eoghan O'Connell, Mandela Egbo and Joe Wollacott to show their potential with Conor McGrandles potentially available when the squad return from Spain.
We return to that dark quiet corner of CharltonLife Towers
Dave turns to his short companion;
"AFKA... I'm not in Swindon anymore, I wonder if I'll ever home... this lot aint gonna sign me too"
Comments
Kilmarnock 7/4
Draw 12/5
Charlton 23/20
Great to go into a clash against a top flight Scottish team as favourites 😂
Suspect we might get a bit of a lesson given we've only had a week together and then this board goes into meltdown with regards to our prospects for the season...
MacGillivray
Clare - O'Connell - Elerewe - Clayden (or CBT)
Morgan - Forster-Caskey
Jaiyesimi - Aneke - CBT (or Clayden)
Davison.
They are still there at the moment.
Wollacott
Egbo - Lavelle - Inniss
Gilbey - Dobson - Henry - Fraser
Leaburn - Stockley - Kirk
as a left wing back … could be a very good option , remember last pre season he was the highlight
Wollacott
Henry Lavelle Inniss Egbo
Gilbey Fraser
Kirk
Leaburn Stockley
Hemming, Sanders, Taylor, Mayo, Power, Polworth, McKenzie, F.Murray, Armstrong, Cameron, Lafferty
Clare - O'Connell - Elerewe - Clayden (or CBT)
Morgan - Forster-Caskey
Jaiyesimi - Aneke - CBT (or Clayden)
Davison