Here we are gents - the first day of another season, one which will unfortunately be spent in League One but unlike last year there seems to be an air of optimism creeping back in to the Valley much like the mist from the thames. Things around the club seem different - we have a manager who despite some obvious flaws, actually seems to care about the club and has been pushing his hand hard to get some of the recent signings over the line. With that will come some added expectation - after all this is his second transfer window with us and he's now built a team which can be deemed as his own.
Now lets delve in to our summer business - we already have an extensive and quite brilliant analysis up of our squad from our very own @lardiman which you can find here ( http://www.not606.com/threads/charlton-squad-lists-summer-transfer-diary-2017.347716/ ) but to recap - it was obvious to most that last season there was a severe lack of creativity and it took a while to filter out the crap from Slades disastrous and thankfully only transfer window. We've seen 5 of the 6 bodies that have come in have creative traits to their game (this includes Da Silva), with only Ben Amos not fulfilling that criteria. We now have talent, but also options in attack. We are possibly still missing that 20 goal a season striker, and despite what KR said in his pre match press conference there are still questions marks that remain over big Josh. But we look good in that department, we just have to hope injuries don't go against us because if there was one criticism of our summer business it would be that we have signed too many players who have struggled with fitness over the years. Fingers crossed I guess!!! A striker is KR's priority with George Miller a target - he may well have to be patient to get his man as things stand and I don't expect to see that transfer until nearer the end of the window. Will that force his hand to switch targets, we'll see. He knows the situation and barring any injuries we should have enough to see us through till then.
So to our opposition - Brizzle Rovers. They are waxing lyrical about how fit they have looked in training and they have looked at reducing the average age of the squad. Liam Sercombe probably represents their best bit of business this window as he arrived from Oxford for almost 150k - and is highly experienced in these lower leagues. The rest of their business has been made up with a couple of GK's and some young loans from Premier League sides. Telford who is on loan from Stoke will be one to watch.
In regards to their pre season it has been pretty successful - the highlight being a victory over West Brom. The only blip on their record was an unconvincing win for Hull. The first game can always spring an unknown quantity and the Gas will be looking to play that part.
How do you guys see us lining up and feel free to throw a prediction in there. I think this will serve as a stern task but think we should have just enough to see us through - possibly 2-1. I'll go big Mag and Bauer.
No matter what - I hope it's a decent day out for you all making the journey. COYR.
Now lets delve in to our summer business - we already have an extensive and quite brilliant analysis up of our squad from our very own @lardiman which you can find here ( http://www.not606.com/threads/charlton-squad-lists-summer-transfer-diary-2017.347716/ ) but to recap - it was obvious to most that last season there was a severe lack of creativity and it took a while to filter out the crap from Slades disastrous and thankfully only transfer window. We've seen 5 of the 6 bodies that have come in have creative traits to their game (this includes Da Silva), with only Ben Amos not fulfilling that criteria. We now have talent, but also options in attack. We are possibly still missing that 20 goal a season striker, and despite what KR said in his pre match press conference there are still questions marks that remain over big Josh. But we look good in that department, we just have to hope injuries don't go against us because if there was one criticism of our summer business it would be that we have signed too many players who have struggled with fitness over the years. Fingers crossed I guess!!! A striker is KR's priority with George Miller a target - he may well have to be patient to get his man as things stand and I don't expect to see that transfer until nearer the end of the window. Will that force his hand to switch targets, we'll see. He knows the situation and barring any injuries we should have enough to see us through till then.
So to our opposition - Brizzle Rovers. They are waxing lyrical about how fit they have looked in training and they have looked at reducing the average age of the squad. Liam Sercombe probably represents their best bit of business this window as he arrived from Oxford for almost 150k - and is highly experienced in these lower leagues. The rest of their business has been made up with a couple of GK's and some young loans from Premier League sides. Telford who is on loan from Stoke will be one to watch.
In regards to their pre season it has been pretty successful - the highlight being a victory over West Brom. The only blip on their record was an unconvincing win for Hull. The first game can always spring an unknown quantity and the Gas will be looking to play that part.
How do you guys see us lining up and feel free to throw a prediction in there. I think this will serve as a stern task but think we should have just enough to see us through - possibly 2-1. I'll go big Mag and Bauer.
No matter what - I hope it's a decent day out for you all making the journey. COYR.
