Only getting Polish Pete over the line and 2 if not 3 domestic based signings can salvage this dark, dark day.
Looking at the signings so far, I still get the feeling we need some quality Championship experience in there, and I hope to see a midfielder come in, that'll make us forget Stephens...
To be honest, I'm glad Kermit and Stephens are gone. We do not need these money-hungry mercenaries at our club. Let's get behind our new heroes (and the existing ones) as we move onwards and upwards. Our next home match against Brum is an exciting prospect for many reasons, so I am now going to sit back and enjoy the ride. Whatever happens, I'll be at The Valley next season.
Agree with the sentiment to get behind the new team, Ponders, but think it's a bit harsh on a player who missed the first half of their career through illness and at 32 is looking to secure likely the last contract of his professional career... especially with the memories he's provided. We can label Stephens with the money-hungry mercenary tag, though, I'm good with that...
I understand your point about Kermit, TVR, but he was offered a two year deal to stay at the club that has revived his career, given him his best moments in football, and hero-worshipped him for three years. Besides, I'm sure the contract offered by the board was not too shabby. And he did give us some great memories, for sure, but he was paid to do so. Anyway, whatever happens between now and midnight, I am going to remain positive.
I agree with the first part, there's no way I'm going to criticise Yann for doing what's best for his future. Surely from Stephens' point of view, this move is a step-up? Brighton are bigger than we are, and much better placed to make the Premier League, where every footballer wants to play. I don't think this falls under the 'money-hungry mercenary tag', he's had a long time at Charlton and is now making a move that is best for him. Best of luck, Dale.
In the time Dale has been with us, he has largely been a sulky git, injured, or just plain average. This season he has performed better, but this was probably after CP offered him the chance to move on to a bigger club. He is no big loss.
I haven't seen much evidence of his 'sulking'. His performances have definitely been mixed, but he has scored some stunning goals (v Doncaster, Blackburn, Bury to name 3) that will live long in everyone's memory. It may be that he'd been playing better just to get a move, or it may be because Cousins came in and helped him immensely. Without him, and assuming we don't sign any more midfielders, we'll be relying on Jackson even more, when I fear his best days are behind him. Maybe The Asteroid will step up, but that remains to be seen.
Yes, we've given Yann some great years, but he's given them back just as good. Stephens has moved to a bigger club currently, but he's shown less commitment in his time here and at times has been pretty awful. I have no real bad feeling about him, but he's left us when we could have used him... so that makes him a mercenary!
We have to remember the club accepted offers for them though, Ponders. As much as I as a fan of him, Stephens was inevitable. But I imagine Kermo was surprised when he got the call to go and speak to Bournemouth. His entire interview with their website does not sound like a man who wanted to move. He's no legend, but definitely a cult hero.
To be honest, I do not wish bad luck on Dale and Yann; however, I do want to be positive and hard-nosed in equal measure, for this is how I get on in life.
Yann's replacement has been confirmed... DONE DEAL: Highly-rated striker Piotr Parzyszek has signed for Charlton until 2018
Updated list Arrivals Permanent Loic Nego - until 2017 Reza Goochie - until 2016 Peter Pan - until 2018 Loan The Asteroid - until June 2014 Yohan Thuram-Ulien - until June 2014 Anil Koc - until June 2014 New Deals Rhoys Wiggins - until 2018 Kadell Daniel - until 2015 Departures Permanent Michael Smith - Swindon Town Ben Alwnick - Leyton Orient Dale Stephens - Brighton & Hove Albion Yann Kermorgant - Bournemouth Loan Joe Pigott - Gillingham (28 day loan) Nick Pope - York City (until the end of the season) Tobi Sho-Silva - Welling United (28 day loan)
Bang on Super... if the board wanted him to stay they should have rejected the offer. Simple as that...!! Good luck to him I say. He did a Tremendous for us and even on the odd occasion when he weren't on top of his game he ALWAYS PUT A SHIFT IN AND WORKED HIS ARSE OFF...!!
With our 2 new strikers, we're going to be the bane of commentators' and football reporters' lives from now on
[video=youtube;WOS7JGdkBIM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOS7JGdkBIM[/video] Interview with Yann for 'Hot Radio' in Bournemouth. The last minute is telling. This is Yann's yarn.
Thanks for putting that up Kish. I'm absolutely gutted to see him go. When you're in the trenches as we undoubtedly are you need people to dig in and fight. That's exactly what you get from Kermorgant week in week out. For me you simply can't put a price on a player like him especially in the predicament we find ourselves. That's why our board should have told Bournemouth to poke their offer where the sun don't shine...!! I don't want to criticise players who have not yet been given the opportunity to show their worth. However, I simply can't see how a 20 year old Pole and an Iranian both of whom have never kicked a ball in English football are better bets to get us out the s**t we're in than a tried, tested and most important of all trusted performer like Kermorgant. I can only draw such inferences as... our board have never seen him play and therefore have no idea of his worth to us. They must have looked at the fact he's 32 and after a 2.5 year deal and thought f**k that. Whatever way you look at it in my humble opinion letting him go (without a fight) is a shocking decision...!!
