This whole saga reeks of Reading playing silly buggers at the last minute & moving the goalposts.
Really does doesn't it. Knibbs will be fuming if thats true
If this is really the case then I don't think the deal is definitely off. If Knibbs makes it clear he wants to go and his agent puts pressure on Reading they might yet come to their senses and get the deal done.
Called this one right.
Considering how many games he's played the last few years I never believed it was because of a failed medical
FYI - The delay wasn’t down to Reading playing silly buggers. The real reason doesn’t matter anymore, but nothing to do with Reading or medical.
If it doesn't matter anymore then I'm sure you can divulge what it was
More important to clarify when something is incorrect. If it’s not a Charlton -Reading issue, or a medical issue it must purely be down to money. It doesn’t matter because it got resolved.
It was only a delay because people said it was 100% done when it was probably 99% done etc.
so you have no clue like the rest of us - thanks for that
This whole saga reeks of Reading playing silly buggers at the last minute & moving the goalposts.
Really does doesn't it. Knibbs will be fuming if thats true
If this is really the case then I don't think the deal is definitely off. If Knibbs makes it clear he wants to go and his agent puts pressure on Reading they might yet come to their senses and get the deal done.
Called this one right.
Considering how many games he's played the last few years I never believed it was because of a failed medical
FYI - The delay wasn’t down to Reading playing silly buggers. The real reason doesn’t matter anymore, but nothing to do with Reading or medical.
If it doesn't matter anymore then I'm sure you can divulge what it was
More important to clarify when something is incorrect. If it’s not a Charlton -Reading issue, or a medical issue it must purely be down to money. Some people are happy to make decisions immediately, other prefer to take a bit longer. It doesn’t matter because it got resolved.
It was only a delay because people said it was 100% done when it was probably 99% done etc.
I am a fan of Campbell, part the way he was so easily marked out of the play-offs games makes me think he will need to improve quite a bit to step up to Champ level
I take some hope from how well he played against Preston in the cup
I think people worrying about TC are barking up the wrong tree - it was Doherty, Berry, up front and GK that urgently needed improving and we have.
I think that's a bit harsh on Mannion.
Disagree - think it was urgent to upgrade on Mannion for the champ and clearly NJ did too (some were even saying he wasn’t good enough for our promotion push last year).
This whole saga reeks of Reading playing silly buggers at the last minute & moving the goalposts.
Really does doesn't it. Knibbs will be fuming if thats true
If this is really the case then I don't think the deal is definitely off. If Knibbs makes it clear he wants to go and his agent puts pressure on Reading they might yet come to their senses and get the deal done.
Called this one right.
Considering how many games he's played the last few years I never believed it was because of a failed medical
FYI - The delay wasn’t down to Reading playing silly buggers. The real reason doesn’t matter anymore, but nothing to do with Reading or medical.
If it doesn't matter anymore then I'm sure you can divulge what it was
More important to clarify when something is incorrect. If it’s not a Charlton -Reading issue, or a medical issue it must purely be down to money. Some people are happy to make decisions immediately, other prefer to take a bit longer. It doesn’t matter because it got resolved.
It was only a delay because people said it was 100% done when it was probably 99% done etc.
This whole saga reeks of Reading playing silly buggers at the last minute & moving the goalposts.
Really does doesn't it. Knibbs will be fuming if thats true
If this is really the case then I don't think the deal is definitely off. If Knibbs makes it clear he wants to go and his agent puts pressure on Reading they might yet come to their senses and get the deal done.
Called this one right.
Considering how many games he's played the last few years I never believed it was because of a failed medical
FYI - The delay wasn’t down to Reading playing silly buggers. The real reason doesn’t matter anymore, but nothing to do with Reading or medical.
If it doesn't matter anymore then I'm sure you can divulge what it was
More important to clarify when something is incorrect. If it’s not a Charlton -Reading issue, or a medical issue it must purely be down to money. Some people are happy to make decisions immediately, other prefer to take a bit longer. It doesn’t matter because it got resolved.
It was only a delay because people said it was 100% done when it was probably 99% done etc.
This whole saga reeks of Reading playing silly buggers at the last minute & moving the goalposts.
Really does doesn't it. Knibbs will be fuming if thats true
If this is really the case then I don't think the deal is definitely off. If Knibbs makes it clear he wants to go and his agent puts pressure on Reading they might yet come to their senses and get the deal done.
Called this one right.
Considering how many games he's played the last few years I never believed it was because of a failed medical
FYI - The delay wasn’t down to Reading playing silly buggers. The real reason doesn’t matter anymore, but nothing to do with Reading or medical.
If it doesn't matter anymore then I'm sure you can divulge what it was
More important to clarify when something is incorrect. If it’s not a Charlton -Reading issue, or a medical issue it must purely be down to money. Some people are happy to make decisions immediately, other prefer to take a bit longer. It doesn’t matter because it got resolved.
It was only a delay because people said it was 100% done when it was probably 99% done etc.
Ok So what we know. One Charlton were desperate to sign the player Two The player said he wanted to come to Charlton. Three There was no problem with the medical.
Nothing at all. But I've heard some, not necessarily on here getting far too carried away. Heart always rules the head when it comes to your football club. But when you boil it down, we have a lot of players unproven at the level. Even a couple that didn't cut it when last here. This was just a bit of a sobering outside view. One of the hosts,George Elek is an Oxford fan. He said they followed a similar path when they went up. Cherry picking some of the best league one had to offer. Fair few of them turned out no too great in the champ.
Exactly.
We've created a cheat code L1 squad, but it's still to be seen how many of the players will compete at a higher level.
We couldn’t have hoped for a better window in our wildest dreams - if we don’t measure up, it won’t be for the want of giving it a bloody good go. We are at a certain recruitment stratosphere and we absolutely aced it on that basis.
I just hope everyone can hold their nerve while this squad takes time to gel and we inevitably take a few beatings in a league where some teams are spending £20m on a single player.
I don’t think we’ll get relegated. I think we’ve had a really great window and NJ has strengthened nearly everywhere needed so far.
I think the best way to react to a team getting promoted is to strengthen in your weakest positions and keep your better players from last year and I think we’ve done that in Knibbs, Kelman, Kaminski. Etc.
I think people worrying about TC are barking up the wrong tree - it was Doherty, Berry, up front and GK that urgently needed improving and we have.
Let’s hope Knibbs, Kelman and Kaminski are known as KKK
I reckon we’re going to find it tough at the start. A lot of the squad will still be getting used to Championship-level football, and on top of that, it’s basically a brand new team trying to figure each other out. Some fans from other clubs are eyeing our spending with envy, but what they don’t see is that we’re building a Championship team almost from scratch. While most teams are just adding 3 or 4 players a season, we’ve had to upgrade the whole lot in one go.
That said, I’m feeling optimistic because of NJ and the type of players we’ve brought in. I’m confident he’ll get them firing by Christmas, maybe even earlier. Plus, since a lot of the signings are young, there’s loads of room for growth. It might take a bit of time to click, but by the end of the season, I think we’ll be in a really strong position.
I am a fan of Campbell, part the way he was so easily marked out of the play-offs games makes me think he will need to improve quite a bit to step up to Champ level
And yet we're all delighted to have Kelman who didn't get a sniff at Wembley thanks to Jones and the rest of our defence. Campbell looked pretty tired at the end of last season having been kicked all across the country but he was completely key to how we played and kept us in the hunt for 2nd with some key goals as the season wore on. Everyone in our team needs to step up this season, I think TC is one of the most equipped to keep developing in our squad
I wouldn't read too much into Kelman not doing anything at Wembley. May didn't score for Cheltenham against us while Ahadme scored twice for Cambridge against us in one game. Kelman scored 27 goals last season and i'm sure would have produced similar numbers playing for us in a better team than Orient.
Of course, neither would I. That's my point, people are leaving TC out of their first teams, leaving him out of the conversation when we talk about our dangerous players and now even talking bout him being loaned out mostly based on the fact he was quiet at the end of a long season where teams started doubling up on him. He's 21 years old and was one of our most important players last season, if not our most important alongside Lloyd Jones. It was only when we freed him up to play wider and gave him some breathing room with width on the other side that we actually started looking like a team capable of doing something. He and Olaofe will compete for that spot up front but I'm slightly amazed at how TC is never far from criticism on here even after a season as good as the one he just had
I think it’s worth noting that these squad additions are all Nathan Jones “players”. I think that for the way he sets his teams up and for what he expects from them that’s absolutely vital. These aren’t just a random selection of cherry picked good players in their respective positions, they are exactly what NJ wanted. Suited for a high press and able to switch from defence to attack. We as fans are struggling to see how he’ll fit everyone into the first eleven but he has good, no very good cover all over the pitch. I think we’ll see five substitutions pretty much every game to keep up the intensity he wants. He now has the luxury of being able to set up to be predominantly defensive or more attack minded. When was the last time any of our managers had that available to them. I dont for one minute think we’ll set anything on fire but we’ll be bloody hard to beat and when we are then the winners will have had to work hard and will have known they’ve been in a game. A RWB would be my only slight concern but if we can get in the Japanese lad I’ll be chuffed.
This whole saga reeks of Reading playing silly buggers at the last minute & moving the goalposts.
Really does doesn't it. Knibbs will be fuming if thats true
If this is really the case then I don't think the deal is definitely off. If Knibbs makes it clear he wants to go and his agent puts pressure on Reading they might yet come to their senses and get the deal done.
Called this one right.
Considering how many games he's played the last few years I never believed it was because of a failed medical
I feel like people saying he was injured etc were struggling with the potential rejection. Making out like there was an injury issue was a good coping mechanism.
Sort of like when a fit bird turns you down and you make out to your mates she wasn't all that anyway
This whole saga reeks of Reading playing silly buggers at the last minute & moving the goalposts.
Really does doesn't it. Knibbs will be fuming if thats true
If this is really the case then I don't think the deal is definitely off. If Knibbs makes it clear he wants to go and his agent puts pressure on Reading they might yet come to their senses and get the deal done.
Called this one right.
Considering how many games he's played the last few years I never believed it was because of a failed medical
I feel like people saying he was injured etc were struggling with the potential rejection. Making out like there was an injury issue was a good coping mechanism.
Sort of like when a fit bird turns you down and you make out to your mates she wasn't all that anyway
NTTT podcast got us finishing 19th. Not convinced by the signings.
Where’s their Championship predictions? I had a look but can only see L1 and L2?
Came out today. I think they’re very fair in their comments (although they seemed to have forgotten that Small had signed for Preston which is very unlike them)
19th is a very sensible prediction for us and I am pretty sure most of us would take that now. Most of our star signings haven’t played this high so they are a gamble. But, as they stated, we have an outstanding manager.
If we finish above Blackburn as they predict we’ll have had a decent season.
I'm sure many would have us last but for Wednesday. I think we will have a few hairy results but ultimately be ok and 19 th is a good bet
However there is a lot of risk in our side with quite a few of our signings being good Lge 1, so will need to step up and there is always the blend factor. It took Jones till December to blend his squad and knowing how he wanted them to play. That's tome we cannot afford this season.
I think outs are going to be our next business. Tipped by many, AMB, A Mitchell, Ahadme, Kanu, Taylor. Either loan or perm, some are worth a fee to L1 but doubt we will get one. A few kids to go on loan, but I can see players like Doc, Berry and Godden being unhappy at being down the pecking order and wanting a move. Fullah will get more game time than them. Nominal fees but doubt we will be too bothered. Perhaps a further clear-out in January if others are not up to the mark. I can also see us getting another under the radar forward. Tovide?
The likes are Doc, Godden and Berry are model pros who would understand they might get more limited game time this season. Can't see them pushing to leave, they'd just knuckle down and do their bit for the team whenever asked.
I'll agree with that - these players just need to be involved, and get regular game time even if only from the bench.
They are also vital 'dressing room players' and leaders - they are currently essential to NJ' s way of doing things.
There's also another thing these 3 have, that many of the squad don't have - recent Championship experience.
I think it’s worth noting that these squad additions are all Nathan Jones “players”. I think that for the way he sets his teams up and for what he expects from them that’s absolutely vital. These aren’t just a random selection of cherry picked good players in their respective positions, they are exactly what NJ wanted. Suited for a high press and able to switch from defence to attack. We as fans are struggling to see how he’ll fit everyone into the first eleven but he has good, no very good cover all over the pitch. I think we’ll see five substitutions pretty much every game to keep up the intensity he wants. He now has the luxury of being able to set up to be predominantly defensive or more attack minded. When was the last time any of our managers had that available to them. I dont for one minute think we’ll set anything on fire but we’ll be bloody hard to beat and when we are then the winners will have had to work hard and will have known they’ve been in a game. A RWB would be my only slight concern but if we can get in the Japanese lad I’ll be chuffed.
There also seems to be a deliberate strategy of adding experience at the back with a GK, 2 x CBs and a CM with Championship experience, while all the attacking players are younger players on the way up from L1 who can improve and will be desperate to prove themselves.
We’ve look like we’ve purposely not gambled on an experienced Championship striker, attacking midfielder or attacking wing back on the way down. Players like that might add something, but they’ll come with big wages and if their legs or hunger is dropping they’re not going to give us what Jones needs.
Whatever happens the board have given it a real go with the spending and the team shouldn’t lack energy. Even if some take longer to settle or don’t work out, we should have enough about us to compete. We can’t rule out some of last seasons players improving and an academy player or two stepping up when they get their chance either.
A RWB and maybe a LWB should be all we need, I think Docherty or JRC will end up being cover for Coventry.
This whole saga reeks of Reading playing silly buggers at the last minute & moving the goalposts.
Really does doesn't it. Knibbs will be fuming if thats true
If this is really the case then I don't think the deal is definitely off. If Knibbs makes it clear he wants to go and his agent puts pressure on Reading they might yet come to their senses and get the deal done.
Called this one right.
Considering how many games he's played the last few years I never believed it was because of a failed medical
I feel like people saying he was injured etc were struggling with the potential rejection. Making out like there was an injury issue was a good coping mechanism.
Sort of like when a fit bird turns you down and you make out to your mates she wasn't all that anyway
I've never had a fit bird turn me down .
I might not be totally honest tbh😁😁
Never had a bird refuse to go out with me, but as soon as they say “yes” I question their judgment and move on.
Bet Godden is lovin' the way some on here are trying to pension him off, he'll still do for me...
Football fans are very weird. We have spent so much time over the past 10+ years complaining about how our squad is never big enough. Even when we had a relatively decent 11 like in 14/15 we were so short when even one injury happened and we suffered for it. We've been picking up shoddy free transfers and cast-off loans for years to cover for the fact we only have one first team left back or striker. We've sat through Pape Souare, Matt Fry, Oguchi Onyewu, Eggert Jonsson, Kevin Foley and Joe Dodoo all in the name of squad depth, but the second we actually start filling out a proper competitive squad people on here can't wait to start selling off the previous season's players and leaving us short. We sign one additional striker to play in the same space as Godden and suddenly he has to be put down. We bring in some midfielders and it's time to flog our captain or loan out key members of the squad from last season. I will never understand it.
This whole saga reeks of Reading playing silly buggers at the last minute & moving the goalposts.
Really does doesn't it. Knibbs will be fuming if thats true
If this is really the case then I don't think the deal is definitely off. If Knibbs makes it clear he wants to go and his agent puts pressure on Reading they might yet come to their senses and get the deal done.
Called this one right.
Considering how many games he's played the last few years I never believed it was because of a failed medical
I feel like people saying he was injured etc were struggling with the potential rejection. Making out like there was an injury issue was a good coping mechanism.
Sort of like when a fit bird turns you down and you make out to your mates she wasn't all that anyway
I've never had a fit bird turn me down .
I might not be totally honest tbh😁😁
Yeah I'm not talking from personal experience either, I just know what other guys go through..
This whole saga reeks of Reading playing silly buggers at the last minute & moving the goalposts.
Really does doesn't it. Knibbs will be fuming if thats true
If this is really the case then I don't think the deal is definitely off. If Knibbs makes it clear he wants to go and his agent puts pressure on Reading they might yet come to their senses and get the deal done.
Called this one right.
Considering how many games he's played the last few years I never believed it was because of a failed medical
FYI - The delay wasn’t down to Reading playing silly buggers. The real reason doesn’t matter anymore, but nothing to do with Reading or medical.
If it doesn't matter anymore then I'm sure you can divulge what it was
More important to clarify when something is incorrect. If it’s not a Charlton -Reading issue, or a medical issue it must purely be down to money. Some people are happy to make decisions immediately, other prefer to take a bit longer. It doesn’t matter because it got resolved.
It was only a delay because people said it was 100% done when it was probably 99% done etc.
I get that, but reading released a statement saying that we had pulled out. That suggests that the deal was a lot less than 99% done
Comments
So what we know.
One
Charlton were desperate to sign the player
Two
The player said he wanted to come to Charlton.
Three
There was no problem with the medical.
So I think we can all assume money was the issue
I fucked up the quote button
We've created a cheat code L1 squad, but it's still to be seen how many of the players will compete at a higher level.
I just hope everyone can hold their nerve while this squad takes time to gel and we inevitably take a few beatings in a league where some teams are spending £20m on a single player.
I reckon we’re going to find it tough at the start. A lot of the squad will still be getting used to Championship-level football, and on top of that, it’s basically a brand new team trying to figure each other out. Some fans from other clubs are eyeing our spending with envy, but what they don’t see is that we’re building a Championship team almost from scratch. While most teams are just adding 3 or 4 players a season, we’ve had to upgrade the whole lot in one go.
That said, I’m feeling optimistic because of NJ and the type of players we’ve brought in. I’m confident he’ll get them firing by Christmas, maybe even earlier. Plus, since a lot of the signings are young, there’s loads of room for growth. It might take a bit of time to click, but by the end of the season, I think we’ll be in a really strong position.
Sort of like when a fit bird turns you down and you make out to your mates she wasn't all that anyway
I might not be totally honest tbh😁😁
However there is a lot of risk in our side with quite a few of our signings being good Lge 1, so will need to step up and there is always the blend factor. It took Jones till December to blend his squad and knowing how he wanted them to play. That's tome we cannot afford this season.
They are also vital 'dressing room players' and leaders - they are currently essential to NJ' s way of doing things.
There's also another thing these 3 have, that many of the squad don't have - recent Championship experience.
Why would NJ not use that to advantage?
We’ve look like we’ve purposely not gambled on an experienced Championship striker, attacking midfielder or attacking wing back on the way down. Players like that might add something, but they’ll come with big wages and if their legs or hunger is dropping they’re not going to give us what Jones needs.
Whatever happens the board have given it a real go with the spending and the team shouldn’t lack energy. Even if some take longer to settle or don’t work out, we should have enough about us to compete. We can’t rule out some of last seasons players improving and an academy player or two stepping up when they get their chance either.
A RWB and maybe a LWB should be all we need, I think Docherty or JRC will end up being cover for Coventry.
MG absolutely furious at some time of the garbage (his words) he is reading on here.
Talking about "hacking the mainframe" so he can track down certain posters via their IP address.
Two proven players but both 32 whereas we have gone for much younger attacking players yet to prove themselves at this level.