A summer of a few disappointments, many thrills, and a couple of twitter spills (and John Sullivanâs attempted punch in the week!) We have seen last seasonâs Charlton been decimated, with only 2 players who started the same fixture last season likely to start this Saturday, that being newly appointed captain Johnnie Jackson and Scott Wagstaff, who today signed a new 1 year contract extension. I shall start with Goalkeepers, going out we have said goodbye to Ross Worner, who has thankfully found a new club already, when I heard the news of Worner I was a little disappointed as I felt he was a good young goalkeeper, but having signed 3 replacements, I can see why Coming in we have seen John Sullivan make his loan move permanent, and will provide stiff competition for the No1 jersey (or number 44 ) we have seen highly rated Reading goalkeeper Ben Hamer join, a goalkeeper whom I have been very impressed with whenever I have seen him, and his stats back him up! We have also seen youngster Pope come in, he is 'highly rated' and came recommended by Ben Roberts (GK coach). I reckon we have the strongest GK's in the League, so I want lots of clean sheets! I would expect to see Robbie go in all honesty, if what SLP are saying is true, he has been very ill-advised! Hamer is No.1 for a reason, with Sully providing back up. Defence, gone of the old ageing Dailly we have two solid centre backs in Taylor and Morrison, who have looked very impressive, however I was not at the Millwall game, and from what I have heard, a bit of experience and quality may cause problems. The Doc will be a solid back-up and I would expect to see 1 LOAN (yes I said it) player join, possibly Danny Batth from Wolves... Full-Backs is still a problem, Chrissys fluid attacking game allows them to move up and support, but apparently Wiggins, who has been unconvincing this summer, and Solly have and will continue to be targeted at the back. We have signed Hughes, who is 100% committed, but at the age of 33 I doubt it will be to long before he come a utility player from the bench. I expect Simon Francis to be moved on, and a top quality RB to come in. Cedric Evina will provide adequate competition for Wiggins, and will take his opportunity when it arises. What has happened to our midfield? 1 dimensional last season, and now, it can do everything, in Jacko, Waggy and Green, our wingers managed to score 30+ goals last season, and in Stephans and Hollands we have creators and scores. Add to that the guile of Alonso, and workmanship of Bradley Pritchard, who know what we can achieve! I reckon we are sorted in the midfield, and keep an eye out for young Ruben Bover, my favourite player from pre-season. We have said good bye (and good riddance) to T Racon, whose disgraceful comments when joining Millwall lost all my respect. And we have lost PoTY Semedo to Shef Wed. whilst he was my favourite player, letâs be honest he was terribly one dimensional? Upfront we still have a minor problem as we look for a 'Headline' player as SCP put it. BWP is 9-1 favourite to be top goalscorer, so I am looking for 25-35 goals please Hayes is a 'Deon Burton' like character, so expect alot of work, and a fair share of goals And Benson is again the best thing since sliced bread now our Midfield actually can create something other than 40 yard backward cross field balls! As for Bournemouth, they are much changed from the team that lost to Huddersfield in the play-off semi, much because we have signed most their players! Robinson moved last week, and Symes is out for the game, so I really donât expect alot from them Chis Powell will serve the first of a 2 match suspension in this game! I reckon we will start with Hamer Wiggins - Taylor - Morrison - Solly JJ - Hollands - Stephens - Waggy (Green is Suspended) BWP - Hayes Sullivan Hughes Doc Alonso Benson As for Reading on Tuesday, I expect alot of change, with the 'other players' getting their chance, Hamer Evina - Taylor - Morrison - Hughes Alonso JJ Green Bover BWP - Benson As we try something new Thanks for reading guys, am hoping to do alot more of these sort of blog posts about other things, not just match previews! Please give me both positive and negative feedback, and then I can improve on my next one if people want one... Remember itâs a £5 programme on Saturday which incorporates the Handbook
I don't think we will be getting Danny Batth in on loan i believe he signed for sheff wednesday last week. I like the idea of trying something new out for the reading game but i expect our main changes to come in the kent cup when Popo, Warren, Davision, Pope and the rest get there chance to prove themselves. Ive only seen the welling game this pre-season and i was under the impression wiggins was a pretty solid left back? whats happened in regards to him in our other pre-season matches? Also does anyone know if Alonso is out for the first game as he picked up a knock against Carshalton the other night?
Good blog Belvedere, Wiggins was terrible against Den Bosch and Millwall, provided a real weak link in our team for the opposition to take advantage of, he couldn't tackle, couldn't pass and booted the ball into the stands every time it landed at his feet (think I've said those exact words about 3 times already this week ) . His crossing was decent though. Am I alone in feeling Alonso is going to be the next Cory Gibbs? A lot of hype and expectations but won't end up playing a game for us through injury.
Nice name I agree with most of it, but now that Hughes has signed I don't think there'll be another RB coming in - between him and Solly (assuming Francis goes) I think we have adequate cover, even though neither is brilliant (probably). I don't think Alonso was ever going to feature on Saturday, no one in the 11 against Carshalton was. I don't know how serious his injury is.
Nice read. RE Wiggins, not a great night on his Valley debut, but Millwall there was an improvement (especially going forward). I think he'll turn out to be a classy player for us (wonder if this will come back to bite me on the rear).
In response to a few points 1) Danny Batth has gone to Shef Weds 2) Wiggins was alright vs Welling, but has been dissapointing, i feel we are going to be attacked down the wings this season... 3) Cheers, i know its a nice name Cheers for feedback guys
Thanks for the Wiggins report WWOCB lets just hope he can prove you wrong come Saturday. I am kinda expected a performance from him considering Bournemouth was his last team, however if he does have a bad start to the season do people think Evina is up for the challenge?
Evina didn't impress much against Carshalton, but then again almost no-one did. He made one attacking, Youga-esque run that bodes well, but his defending wasn't much cop. Wiggins will do for me, I know he hasn't been great so far but I think he will come good.
Hamer Wiggins - Taylor - Morrison - Solly JJ - Hollands - Stephens - Waggy (Green is Suspended) BWP - Hayes For sure that XI will start. Now for a thread diversion: Throughout my long life of following football (starting with our Cup Final against Burnley) it has always been the custom to list players from right to left (following the traditional shirt-numbers). I notice that over the last decade the reverse has become the fashion (as illustrated above). Who sanctioned this heresy?
