Looking forward to coming down for this - in fact, I'm absolutely desperate to see some football again - but with the first team back in training this morning, there's the very real prospect of not seeing any 'new faces' (i.e. transfers in) turning out for this game. I wonder if this is a deliberate policy to see how the upcoming players blend en masse into a matchday situation before signing anyone new, or whether it's just a question of timing and players we're lining up to sign will arrive during the time we're playing friendlies. I'm quite relaxed either way - how are we all feeling about this?
Has the Transfer Window officially opened yet? Isn't it July 1st? Similarly most contracts officially expire 30th June (if Football Manager is to be believed!) A lot of CAFC Business under Powell has been 'undisclosed' or seemingly out-of-nowhere so in that respect I'm calm; we're playing it cool Altough if the season started when the Welling game is then I would be a little concerned...
I'm sure The Doctor would love to have 2 or 3 signings under his belt by now, Obika for starters. The trouble is the club is skint. There must be quite a bit of negotiating going on behind the scenes, as agents come to terms with the FFP conditions which are due to come into force. There are a lot of players out of contract now, and my guess is there will be a flurry of activity when they face the choice between lowering their wage demands or looking for a new career.
There are lots of players available on frees who would strengthen our team. Some have already got fixed up liked Tabb and Judge. As we are (reportedly) broke, I am guessing we will have to wait and see who else negotiates good contracts and then hope to find one or two among those who no-one else has wanted by end August and sign them on the (relative) cheap. That also gives our management time to have another look at our youngsters like Pigott, Azeez, Smith, Cousins, Fox, Feely, Ajayi and Jordan to assess if they can play a meaningful role next season. I like to read between the lines of the bland and politically-correct personal statements on the official site. It is like the old days of Kremlin watching when western observers had to construct theories on the slimmest of clues. I note that after Jordan's assertion he is ready for first-team action he modestly goes on to say his ambition is to get a 20-minute cameo next season. I think that is realistic and we cannot expect too much from these lads until another year has passed. I remember how Smith and Bover caught the eye in pre-season friendlies last summer but didn't figure at all during the season, so it will take something remarkable for one of our youngsters pre- and early season to prove that we can save on making a signing.
We've got enough CM's now, so barring an injury crisis Bradley Jordan will be lucky to feature except maybe in one of the cups. However we've only got one striker, so Smith, Pigott or Azeez will be needed unless we sign another 3 strikers.
anyone know how you get tickets prior to the day? i cant see anywhere if their ticket office is open at any other time
This is from the O/S, SIG - Tickets on the terrace are priced £12 adults, £7 over 60s and U16s and £3 U12s, with seats in the Old Stand and the New Stand £14 adults, £9 over 60s and U16s and £5 U12s. Tickets can be purchased in person from Park View Road (they are not available from the Valley commercial centre) and will be available from the turnstiles on the day. I'm going to try and get mine on the Friday, because it's usually mayhem there on match day.
yeah, i saw that. i was just wondering if anyone knew if their offices are open before - its nuts there on the day unless you get there 2 hours early. if anyone goes on a weekday to get there's could they message on here that its open
I regard Harriott as a striker, in that for most games it will be too much of a luxury to play him as a midfielder with two strikers. I cannot see us signing three new strikers, but we do need to sign two, and our "fourth man" will have to come out of the four youngsters named here whenever needed.
That's how Nathan Jones played Harriott, and it seemed to suit him better than as an out-and-out winger. He also gave Smith the freedom to play anywhere across the front, and the front 3, with Pigott as an orthodox CF was , I found , really good to watch.These 3 must have been a nightmare for a lot of defenders. Both Smith and Harriott seemed to really enjoy this set-up, and Harriott did not fade out of games in the last quarter, the way he has in the first-team. I don't know whether this is because he's up against better defenders, or because he's just not so good as a winger. It seems to me that Nathan Jones is a very astute coach, who has the ability to get the best out of a player.
Just an addition to my previous post- Could it be that we are about to see a return to the era when John Cartwright supplied Curbs with a succession of players who were able to advance to the first team? I've always felt that Cartwright's contribution to our success should have received more recognition.
Just spoken to Tweaks on the phone, he said ticket office open till 5 tonight and from 10am till midday tomorrow. From what he saw today he suggests people get their tickets early and bear in mind that it is also the Danson festival so parking will be difficult!
yep, it is open now (2pm ish, friday). just got my tickets. looks like most of the seats have been sold
Hi gents, whereabouts on the official CAFC website can you get fixture info for the preseason matches ?
I went to the CHarlton box office a couple of hours ago, and the girl told me they don't sell tickets for friendlies, you just buy them at the ground on the day
'Difficult' may be an understatement - there was a small army of rent-a-wardens fitting parking restriction notices all over the place when I was driving back - don't the organisers know there's an important football match on? You're right SIG, when I was there, only about 30 or so seats were left - good for Welling, I'd like to see a sellout tomorrow. Buying tickets close to the kick off time may be mayhem tomorrow - there's a lot of work going on at the ground and I think one lot of turnstiles/ticket office at the Guy end of the ground may well be out of action tomorrow. Buy early!
I went into the club house, upstairs and there was a old fella selling them. he had a white board/poster on a table marking off the seats. i'm standing anyway, but couldn't help but notice there weren't much space left. I was going to leave it till tomorrow but my lunch break became free so popped down - glad I did now
Wise move IMO, SIG. Lovely bloke he was, had a good talk with him, and that poster was like taking a step back in time - I'd bet it works better than some of the electronic seating systems around, too...
