Okay Guys with the transfer window officially closed and our 19 additions to the squad this summer what do we all think? Who are we happy about signing, do we look weak in any areas or is our squad to big. also I'd be particularly interested in who people think will go out on loan from the senior players. I think that that Mambo should get a month or two's loan somewhere in the football league or the BSP (hopefully somewhere he can wear the number 5 shirt!) to help aid his development with a bit of regular football as we have enough cover there. I can also see Parky coming in for Francis on loan when the window opens as its clear he is surplus to requirements. I think overall we have a massive squad for this league and we could well suffer from not being in an official reserve league which would help keep players match fit and CP will have to do some juggling in the Carling cup and JPT to keep everyone happy. The only potential problem area in the squad for me is up front if 1 or 2 of our forwards get a serious injury then we could have to delve into the dreaded loan market as I wouldn't fancy playing Euell and Wagstaff upfront for a prolonged period of time without a proven goalscorer. For me though this summer has mostly reawakened my excitement over the football season which over the past few seasons has been waining due to the lack of progress and development within the club. So I must confess I am a very happy fan at the moment and long may it continue!
Very happy with the squad but expect to see some of our fringe guys - Benson, Francis and Doherty (Go for the love of God GO !!!) leave on loan shortly As long as we replace them I think we're on to a winner The future's bright ... the future's please log in to view this image
I did hope that we may entice a more proven striker in on deadline day but all in all I'm happy with how we are. Unlike some of you, I am pleased that Benson is still here, as I feel this League is ideal for his qualities. However, for him and an awful lot more, getting match time is the problem. I agree with several other posters that the lack of a Reserve Team competition is short sighted, as I fail to see how the cost involved can be that much, in the overall budget, given the size of the squad and the wages involved. I'm sure that we will send a few out on loan but I do hope that the Conference should be the lowest benchmark for these players. It is my belief that the likes of Mambo, Davisson, Harriott, Cousins etc. need to be making an impression at that level, at least, if they have designs on a longer term future with us. So, overall, a great start, a solid and competitive squad and at last a real feeling amongst us all that Sir Chris is getting it right. COYR!
We don't have a reserve team but think behind the door friendlies will be more frequent. We did this several times last season- much more cost affective way. Also another problem with the reserve league was after paying the fee's, games were often postponed in winter due to the standard of pitch (often training grounds/local teams stadiums etc). So players actually weren't keeping ''match fit'' during those cold months.
Lest we forget, as well as the 94 players we've got down The Valley, we've still got five ASEC Mimosas players scattered around Europe on loan, awaiting their work permits, or whatever they were waiting for before transforming the face of Charlton football. I doubt very much whether we'll ever see any of them in action, but it's worth bearing in mind that while we've been searching high and low(e) for a striker we technically have Serge Deble on the books, who Wigan were very interested indeed in at the start of last season, despite the fact that he seems to be having a little difficulty actually hitting the net...
Why do we need a Reserve Team this season?? We're gonna be facing the likes on Whitstable / Bromley / Dover / Cray in the Kent Senior Cup this season. What better chance for some Fringe / U18 players to get games and experience against Non-League teams who are (a) gonna try kicking "the league team" to shreads" (b) I'm pretty sure Bromley dont have the luxury of putting out their 3rd Squad and (c) sadly most of our U18s could be playing at that level in years to come so will give them added incentive to achieve with us!!
