Has Powell won you over? It's no secret that I couldn't stand Powell's management last season - It was so uninspiring, confusing and ineffectual that it wrecked our season Obviously given the fact that he's a legend he gets a second chance - I don't buy into the 'it weren't his squad' argument but naturally a pre-season and the chance to bring in who he wants should change things drastically I haven't seen any of the newbies in the flesh and won't until the Bournemouth game so I'm remaining sceptical! Signings like Hayes, Green and Wiggins are promising - but players like Pritchard, Stephans and Taylor seem fairly routine and having not seen them play I'm indifferent to it all to be honest So it is encouraging that you are all raving about what you have seen... I want Powell to prove me wrong but there's still the nagging dark cloud of last season to shake off; a lot of you seem to have completley wiped the slate clean already? Re-reading this there is no real point to it - I'm just not getting carried away until we are top at the end of August[/FONT]
We apparently paid a good £300k for him so wouldn't refer to him as ''routine''. Was highly rated at Oldham, scored 7 goals before his loan to Soton, who paid a nice price to take him for 3 months to assist with their promotion push. He and Green will be the key players this season IMO. But as for CP- I'm a fan. Think he needs time but I'm happy enough for that as I believe he has the raw potential to become a good manager and delighted it's with us. But for the people who aren't sure about him, don't think pre-season should be the ground of which to judge him (positive or negative). Let's get the first 10 games out the way before we even start thinking about the managers position.
I think that as fans we couldn't have asked for a better pre season. Not just in terms of signings but what has gone on behind the scenes with the appointment of Hart and the scouting network widening. The board have certainly demonstrated a willingness to support the manager. Ultimately Powell needs to get results. I do think there is justification in the 'not my team' excuse. The new signings I have seen certainly seem more rounded footballers in that they don't just have skill (Racon) or graft (Semedo) but a combination. Powell will certainly create a team ethos and has shown that the previous concerns abut him being too nice is not an issue. I am optimistic but also accept that it won't all click come the first whistle on the 6th August.
I was sitting quite near to Chris yesterday, he didn't sit in the dugout once! he sat on the advertising hoardings next to the pitch, he kicked every ball, headed every header, congratulated every good pass and his shoulders slumped at every bad one. He is giving 110% for the club at present and deserves a clean slate.
dont agree that dale stephens seems anything other than highly promising and with great potential not one singing have i been non-plussed by. bradely pritchard seems great by the chat you guys have been giving and he was plucked form complete obscurity. one question. if you were a nice personality...would you wanna play for powelly. i certainly would.
I was the same last season, Kish. I absolutely hated the way that Powell managed the team - even if it was his first taste of management. Admittedly the football was more attractive, but the results were far worse than those of the PP regime. I would have rather we hoofed our way out of the league than passed our way to mediocrity. But that is history now - just like the thousands of pounds thrown away on following us last season. However, if Powell has learnt his lessons and can get the best out of a squad which is now mainly his recruits, then I am confident we will have a good season. Powell is an intelligent man and will know what he wants from his players and hopefully his ideas are transmitting clearly to the squad. Recent evidence from the friendlies suggest that we are heading in the right direction. Of course the first 6-8 matches will be the real acid test, though. I just wish Alex Dyer was ditched and Keith Peacock given the right-hand man position. With Damien Matthew on the left. There is no point worrying about last season. It is gone, and a new campaign is on the horizon. Exciting times for us Charlton fans. Even for a misery like me!
Call me cynical, but Dyer was given the job on the basis that he is best friends with Chris Powell. I am still expecting Andy Ansah to join the coaching set-up and then teach some flicks and tricks to Gary Doherty! But for someone in their first ever management job to appoint Alex Dyer as right-hand man is madness, in my opinion. His credentials add up to nothing. Just like last season when some were calling for Steve Brown to get the manager's seat. Madness, I say, madness.
I don't understand how anyone can judge Dyer, unless they regularly watch him on the training ground, in the dressing room and find out what (apparently poor) advice he gives to Powell. Same people who criticized Mervyn Day rather than Curbs, perhaps?
Actually, Scoham, I base my opinion on the strength of his CV - which surely any decent employer would do - plus the nonsense he spouts just a few yards away from where I sit. But in your world, Scoham, should we not be allowed to criticise anyone unless we have an up close insight into their every move? Sometimes a judgement can be made on the most tenous evidence - especially when one pays so handsomely for the privilege. Furthermore, who would actually want to criticise Curbs? The guy is a magician.
I didn't say he couldn't be criticized. The point really was that a few (not you, in general) Charlton fans have suggested Dyer was the problem last season based on very little apart from the idea that Powell's assistant must be very experienced. We're going to give Powell a chance aren't we, so why not trust him to pick his own assistant? Powell must feel he adds something worthwhile.
I agree we must give Powell a chance, but choosing a novice to be assistant when he, himself, is a novice, is poor judgement. What can Dyer offer in times of difficulty? Can he calm a difficult situation and galvanise a flagging side? Does he have the nous to offer an alternative tactical solution? Perhaps he is can do all of these things - but it is not as likely as an old-hand.
I don't know, which was really my point. I get what your saying. In the end Powell needs the right assistant. More experienced doesn't always mean better. No doubt if we had a 60+ year old as an assistant there'd be other fans claiming his methods are outdated.
True. Opinions will always differ. If we win the title, then Alex Dyer will top my list for Knighthood candidates. That shows what a fickle pickle I am.
