Do think people are massively overplaying our chances of going down. We're crap but we aren't in the worst 4 teams in this tinpot league
We're a pretty poor side and have been amongst the worst teams of late. There are certainly teams with worse squads.
Our defence needs strengthening.
Yet we are still in touch of the play offs ….
We're 9 points off playoffs and coincidentally 9 off the relegation spots too. If mathematically that makes us "safe" then by the same logic we're not touching the play offs either.
Two weeks ago we were looking over our shoulders with genuine concern. We need to make sure that we are safe and home first and foremost, even if that means loans and freebies as a make-do.
What we know so far is that we are being punted around deepest darkest Texas in the hope that some people can raise £75k investment packages ( chicken feed in investment terms ) Our current owner is looking for a way out. Anyone that thinks we are going to be making any landmark signings are as delusional as our owner.
We’re 19pts off 50 which should be safety and have 19 games left. I’m probably going against the grain here, but do we need to bring anyone in? Providing Leaburn isn’t sold and doesn’t get injured, I think at most, we need a forward as cover.
Between the rest of the squad, even if we offload Stockley, Mansfield & Kirk for example, I think we have enough to stay up. This isn’t me advocating there’s an appropriate level of talent, it’s still massively off being able to get us out this division, but I would rather we don’t risk bringing in another Mansfield or Aneke in Jan, just for the sake of it, thus impacting next season.
For me, getting rid of a few like Stockley, JFC, Mansfield and Kirk would be a good window. We’re not going up. We’ve probably got enough in the tank to stay up. Why not shed some of the mediocrity that’s clogged up the squad and finally, do a proper plan for 23/24? Unless something really good comes along, I think any additions with contracts until the end of the season would be a risk
We have got 3 squad spaces free. We have no cover at left back, no viable alternative at center foward or winger if any of the front 3 get knack. Even if it's just 3 loans I want those spaces.
If JRS and Sessegnon were recalled and Leaburn flogged or injured we would be up shit street.
Mad that people are already trying to justify a transfer window if we sign no one at all.
We had a rubbish squad leftover from summer, if we sign no-one we enter february with it even worse.
This in spades.
We started the season light up front, and now with Aneke breaking down even before he steps on the pitch some people don't even mind if Stockley goes and not replaced !!!!
Jesus. Some people are mad and/or delusional. Do they not have memories of what happened last season when we were playing Kanu & Burstow for 6 weeks because Washington, Stockley AND Aneke were all out injured.
What happens in Feb 2and when Leaburn pulls his hammy & us out for 2 months. Oh Yes, we go back to playing JRS & DJ up front. That worked well didnt it.
I give up.
Keep your knickers on, who said he shouldn't be replaced?
I appreciate what Holden says but the longer it goes on without us signing the more worried I will get. Especially when the sales are happening such as JFC.
Totally agree. I thought we had learned the lesson of leaving our business until the last minute. Other clubs, Plymouth, Bolton, Barnsley etc seem to be able to sign players, why not us? Beginning to think we have been sold a pup.
@cafcfan1990 if you think getting rid of three or four players currently with our injuries makes sense without getting replacements in at the same time or you know what, BEFORE we let players go then in my opinion that is suicide.
The squad was light already.
JFC, Stockley, Mac (played yesterday!), Kirk - despite their limitations will all be needed between now and May to keep us in this division if we don't get replacements.
This is a tried and tested path we've been down before and why blind faith is installed I have no idea.
"Wait and see" "It's only X days into the window"
This has been trotted out for the last 3 windows.
We have every right to be sceptical of our owner!
Scott has already said that no one will be leaving until we had people through the door & only then would fringe players be let go.
@cafcfan1990 if you think getting rid of three or four players currently with our injuries makes sense without getting replacements in at the same time or you know what, BEFORE we let players go then in my opinion that is suicide.
The squad was light already.
JFC, Stockley, Mac (played yesterday!), Kirk - despite their limitations will all be needed between now and May to keep us in this division if we don't get replacements.
This is a tried and tested path we've been down before and why blind faith is installed I have no idea.
"Wait and see" "It's only X days into the window"
This has been trotted out for the last 3 windows.
We have every right to be sceptical of our owner!
Scott has already said that no one will be leaving until we had people through the door & only then would fringe players be let go.
No I didn't believe it either.
That’s not what was said. Scott said that there was no requirement for players to leave before signing someone. They were looking to move on fringe players.
Said we will be doing early business. No-one will leave until we have added to the squad Those that do leave will be fringe players only. There are funds to spend.
I have not watched Andy Scott's first interview, but this is apparently what he said::
1: There's four league matches in January, I would say if we don't have anyone in by the second match then it is not 'early'.
2: JFC has left, we have added no one.
3: No matter what people think if his ability, or if he should have played more, he was a fringe player.
4: Remains to be seen. But I think if funds were available we would have been able to bring someone in early, instead of waiting for prices to reduce.
Said we will be doing early business. No-one will leave until we have added to the squad Those that do leave will be fringe players only. There are funds to spend.
I have not watched Andy Scott's first interview, but this is apparently what he said::
1: There's four league matches in January, I would say if we don't have anyone in by the second match then it is not 'early'.
2: JFC has left, we have added no one.
3: No matter what people think if his ability, or if he should have played more, he was a fringe player.
4: Remains to be seen. But I think if funds were available we would have been able to bring someone in early, instead of waiting for prices to reduce.
Bringing people in and having funds avaliable aren't the same thing. I would be shocked if we spend a transfer fee. I would be shocked if we don't bring in at least 3.
Said we will be doing early business. No-one will leave until we have added to the squad Those that do leave will be fringe players only. There are funds to spend.
I have not watched Andy Scott's first interview, but this is apparently what he said::
1: There's four league matches in January, I would say if we don't have anyone in by the second match then it is not 'early'.
2: JFC has left, we have added no one.
3: No matter what people think if his ability, or if he should have played more, he was a fringe player.
4: Remains to be seen. But I think if funds were available we would have been able to bring someone in early, instead of waiting for prices to reduce.
Bringing people in and having funds avaliable aren't the same thing. I would be shocked if we spend a transfer fee. I would be shocked if we don't bring in at least 3.
3 in and 3 out? That won't help the overall position with the squad. We will end up either light at left back, centre forward or somewhere else - I would hazard a guess at wide midfield.
Kirk, DJ and Stockley out? All 3 on decent salaries and decent transfer fees. They'll be replaced with loans or free signings. Again I say,,,, I wouldn't be against Bonne or Wickham but Wickham on paper is not any better/safer bet than Aneke - the last half a season has been an anomaly and Bonne's goalscoring record is worse than Stockley's.
We are simply polishing turds and it'll mean we won't go down, but let's all be honest, we'll be way, way, way short of being able to put together a side for a promotion push next season. Which is what a club with the history, size and ambitions of Charlton should be doing, at the very least.....
Said we will be doing early business. No-one will leave until we have added to the squad Those that do leave will be fringe players only. There are funds to spend.
I have not watched Andy Scott's first interview, but this is apparently what he said::
1: There's four league matches in January, I would say if we don't have anyone in by the second match then it is not 'early'.
2: JFC has left, we have added no one.
3: No matter what people think if his ability, or if he should have played more, he was a fringe player.
4: Remains to be seen. But I think if funds were available we would have been able to bring someone in early, instead of waiting for prices to reduce.
Bringing people in and having funds avaliable aren't the same thing. I would be shocked if we spend a transfer fee. I would be shocked if we don't bring in at least 3.
I am pretty certain we will be bringing in players, firstly because it would be madness not to, and secondly there has been enough 'smoke' around this put out there to let you know deals are in the pipeline.
The quality of these players is the real question. Are the 'funds to spend' on transfer fees, signing on fees for frees, or has the wage budget been increased considerably etc
There are funds to spend....on free transfers and loans.
Someone figure that one out.
Neither of which are truly "free". Loans often attract a fee plus all or part of the loanee's wages. Free transfers often attract a signing on fee/bonus. Plus you have to factor in the new additions wages. Just hope there really are funds there.
There are funds to spend....on free transfers and loans.
Someone figure that one out.
It may puzzle you but really, it doesn't take much working out. In the same way as there's no such thing as a free lunch, there's no such thing as a transfer that's free.
I don't need to detail it here but a little simple research will soon explain that loan transfers can cost a loan fee or/plus player wages. And permanent transfers always cost a signing-on fee plus usual expenses.
There are funds to spend....on free transfers and loans.
Someone figure that one out.
Loan fees , Agent fees , signing on fees there no such thing as a free transfer or free loan anymore
Chaps. Let's not try and be clever. The "loans" or "free" transfers of course won't be FREE, but they will be cheaper than Stockley, Kirk and DJ who all came with transfer fees and pretty decent wages.
Again, even if they cost the same, it's hardly a sign of intent now is it and it will leave us with a lot to do for next season. I can't believe the same apologists are again supporting the current regime despite continued failings for 2 1/2 years now.
I'm not going to go all "Golfie" on you, but seriously, the same people despite all the evidence for the last two seasons want to believe all has changed. You can say it's only the 9th January as long as you want but if Bonne, Wickham and a loan left back are what we get in. It doesn't need Andy Scott to do. Surely.....?
So correct me if I am wrong but I just found out now that apparently free transfers are not free. This revelation has me shook, anyone able to explain more?
I'd rather bring in 2/3 permanent of real quality for next season rather than 5/6 crap frees and loans
Agree. Should start with Sessegnon, his contract is up in the summer and Fulham are staying up so aren’t going to keep him. Should be all over that now before there’s more competition in the summer
What's this obsession with bloody Ipswich, who cares about any players they sign, I don't...if, and it's a big IF and when we get going will be worth reading, hopefully 🤷♂️
Exactly. Ipswich in recent years always seem to sign about 20 players a season.
What's this obsession with bloody Ipswich, who cares about any players they sign, I don't...if, and it's a big IF and when we get going will be worth reading, hopefully 🤷♂️
Exactly. Ipswich in recent years always seem to sign about 20 players a season.
They've been a Third Division club all that time.
And they still are.
Let's not mix fact with fiction. They got bought by a big American Pension fund IN APRIL 2021. Hired the most impressive on paper candidate from the lower leagues in Paul Cook (IN MARCH 2021) and it didn't work out. Regrouped, bought some solid players, got rid of some of last year's players and are now third in division 1, 2 points outside the automatic places and 9 points ahead of 4th. Their ownership have owned them for less than 2 years.
Isn't what has happened with them, what we want for Charlton? New owners who add funds and actually try and get us out of this god awful division? Surely that's what we are wanting. Ipswich are much closer to achieving this than us. No sane Charlton fan can want what we have now? We all know that it will take lots of money to turn this club around and get us into the Championship?
I can't believe people moan or say look at Ipswich, they're in league 1 just like us. They're trying to get out of Division 1 and it will take LOTS of money to take on Plymouth, Derby, Sheff Wed, Ipswich et al - that's just reality....
Those players they bought in the summer of 2021 were a lot better than Cook made then look, as shown by the form since McKenna took over. They beat us 4-0 at the end of last season, which was a fair reflection of the gap between the clubs even before the summer 2022 window.
Comments
Two weeks ago we were looking over our shoulders with genuine concern. We need to make sure that we are safe and home first and foremost, even if that means loans and freebies as a make-do.
No I didn't believe it either.
1: There's four league matches in January, I would say if we don't have anyone in by the second match then it is not 'early'.
2: JFC has left, we have added no one.
3: No matter what people think if his ability, or if he should have played more, he was a fringe player.
4: Remains to be seen. But I think if funds were available we would have been able to bring someone in early, instead of waiting for prices to reduce.
Someone figure that one out.
Kirk, DJ and Stockley out? All 3 on decent salaries and decent transfer fees. They'll be replaced with loans or free signings. Again I say,,,, I wouldn't be against Bonne or Wickham but Wickham on paper is not any better/safer bet than Aneke - the last half a season has been an anomaly and Bonne's goalscoring record is worse than Stockley's.
We are simply polishing turds and it'll mean we won't go down, but let's all be honest, we'll be way, way, way short of being able to put together a side for a promotion push next season. Which is what a club with the history, size and ambitions of Charlton should be doing, at the very least.....
The quality of these players is the real question. Are the 'funds to spend' on transfer fees, signing on fees for frees, or has the wage budget been increased considerably etc
In the same way as there's no such thing as a free lunch, there's no such thing as a transfer that's free.
I don't need to detail it here but a little simple research will soon explain that loan transfers can cost a loan fee or/plus player wages. And permanent transfers always cost a signing-on fee plus usual expenses.
Again, even if they cost the same, it's hardly a sign of intent now is it and it will leave us with a lot to do for next season. I can't believe the same apologists are again supporting the current regime despite continued failings for 2 1/2 years now.
I'm not going to go all "Golfie" on you, but seriously, the same people despite all the evidence for the last two seasons want to believe all has changed. You can say it's only the 9th January as long as you want but if Bonne, Wickham and a loan left back are what we get in. It doesn't need Andy Scott to do. Surely.....?
Tbh Ive just noticed I posted in the wrong thread haha! Apologies!
Isn't what has happened with them, what we want for Charlton? New owners who add funds and actually try and get us out of this god awful division? Surely that's what we are wanting. Ipswich are much closer to achieving this than us. No sane Charlton fan can want what we have now? We all know that it will take lots of money to turn this club around and get us into the Championship?
I can't believe people moan or say look at Ipswich, they're in league 1 just like us. They're trying to get out of Division 1 and it will take LOTS of money to take on Plymouth, Derby, Sheff Wed, Ipswich et al - that's just reality....