IN Rhys Williams - still obviously unfit, I guess he will return to Boro this week Roger Johnson - as we suspected his legs can't last 90 and being used as a sub. Diego Poyet - what have Wet Spam done to him?? Used as a sub! Jorge Teixeira - seems to be a good stop gap for 2 years or so, good signing OUT The Pig - he was never going to play for us this season Ahearn-Grant - need experience at lower level, may come back a man rather than a boy? Tony Watt - Good first team player, but I trust JR and if he says that Watty is not up for the fight then so be it. The above excludes some U21 loans but you get the picture. Best bit of business so far..... not selling Lookman. AllHell
Poor window in fairness. No lessons have been learnt and despite Riga seemingly having a positive effect, he needs further resources. We've spent a total £200k. That's not really the sign of an owner desperate to avoid relegation, is it? And call me sinister, but I think the club will be happy to take the Watt money come the summer as opposed to now.
It's all well and good getting rid of players that may/may not be up to the task but we do need actual replacements for them. We have Vetokele and Makienok up front with Lookman as cover. An injury to just one of them would mean Umerah is presumably our next forward. The new centre back looks alright, played well against Blackburn but doesn't look much better than Lennon to be honest, our turnover of players is shocking and we haven't seen much improvement if any in many areas.
I've always maintained that our strongest starting XI if fit and fired is a top 10 side; with returning players like Igor, Bauer and Diarra, plus the rest staying fit, if we can keep the same nucleus of an XI together for a run of games then we could be OK without any further additions. Outside of that XI though the lack of depth is so worrying. That said I gather Diarra and Bauer are both way off.
While I agree in principle, it is all rather pie in the sky. I can only think of Henderson and Cousins who have been consistently "fit and fired" all season. Add Solly, except when we are playing two games a week, as we shall be doing on at least four occasions. And while those three are good Championship standard, they are not good enough to compensate for passengers.
I think top 10 is too much for the starting XI personally. I think only Hendo, JBG (on form), Watt (who's now left on loan) and lookman would realistically stake that claim. We have youngsters like THD who have the potential to reach that level and more - but not enough just yet.
if we can stay up with this lot and then have a clear out, we may surprise a few next year. so far, people expected to leave next year - polish pete, hungarian goalie, sarr, vaz te, ba, piggott, williams, poyet, moussa, watt. we may end up with a team pushing top ten (if riga is allowed to sign his own players)
You do not progress by letting players go, unless they are bad apples like Watt. You progress by developing and signing new players. What makes you think RD has any hope of signing players of top ten Championship standard? Every club makes some bad signings but his record is of consistent incompetence and false economy. And "having a clear out" does not come cheap. Unless the player can get equal or better terms elsewhere they can choose to sit tight, drawing their full wages but not playing, or sullenly putting in the minimum effort if they are called on. The alternative is to buy out their contract, which might cost as much as signing a new player. And which players that are unwanted by a struggling club like Charlton are likely to get an equal or better deal elsewhere? That includes: Parzyszek (contracted to 2018) Sarr (contracted to 2020) Ba (contracted to 2018) and others who would not get a place in a top ten team, or even squad: Johnson (contracted to 2017) Ceballos (contracted to 2018) Muldoon (contracted to 2017) Tucudean (contracted to 2017) Some you mention should leave painlessly as their contracts end this season: Vaz Te Poyet Piggott Moussa Williams as do the contracts of others I would consider "not wanted on voyage" if we are aiming for the top ten: Sho Silva Diarra Ansah Ghoochannejhad Makienok is only on loan. If he finishes the season strongly he will be able to get a better deal elsewhere. If he does not, we will not want to sign him. I am guessing JBG will be sold (and be delighted to leave). Lookman will be sold for a pittance (with more mixed feelings). Of players with ongoing contracts who could make a top ten side, I reckon there are only: Henderson (plus Pope as back-up only) Solly (unless his condition deteriorates) Kashi (if he comes back 100% from a bad injury) Bauer Teixeira Cousins Vetokele Plus one or two of our youngsters may step up a level. We would need a massive rebuild like the one Sir Chris accomplished. The problems are: (1) Sir Chris is no longer with us (2) We are a division higher and players are a lot more expensive (3) If things started going well, RD would remember that he is football genius and start his stupid interference again. (4) It is by no means guaranteed Riga will stay. If he pulls off the Houdini trick again he could probably get a (well-deserved) better deal elsewhere and get out from under Dracula's malign shadow. In which case, cue the return of Bob Peeters.
He is Serbian. (Do not call accuse Serbians of being "Hungarian" or your gizzards may end up on a shish kebab). His contract expires in June.
Still I'm unsure about him, had a couple of good games but not a prolific forward, not sure if he's a winger.
I think he is a poacher, but has nothing to poach. Doesn't help that he doesn't really give a **** either.
Whats the story with Poyet ? Does anyone know how he has been viewed at W'Ham ? No one seems excited anymore, understandably so. Where's that great Moroccan we used to have who used to fire set pieces into the back of the net from his locker room ?
No,no.. the one from years ago. Came down with us to the CC from the PL. Cannot believe he is no longer on the tip of my tongue
