Monday 8 January 2024
All quiet on news of anymore transfers either in or out but maybe we all need a breather after all that activity on Friday. The question is will Jonson Clarke-Harris sign for the club and will he do that in time to play on Saturday against Peterborough?
While we wait on that there is a game this afternoon at 1.00 pm:
Charlton u21s v Colchester u21s.
Hoping this will be live on Charlton TV and I’ll have time to watch it.
Updates will be presumably be available on Twitter (X) and I’ll aim to post some on our WhatsApp group too.
On the subject of transfers Charlton fans will all have their own views on where we need to strengthen the current squad. Views range from ‘replace the lot of them’ to more mindful and realistic ideas of where the priorities lie if we are now, as seems most likely, looking at building a side to compete at the top end of the League One table next season.
I think there is probably a consensus that given our current injury problems we do need an experienced striker who can hold the ball up and score goals. Cover at left back is also needed. If Corey Blackett-Taylor leaves then does he need a like for like replacement? Will the likes of Tyreece Campbell and Henry Rylah provide sufficient service from the wings by next season?
Then there is the Swiss cheese at the centre of defence. How does Appleton plug those holes? Is it a problem that can be solved on the training ground? Seems unlikely as there has been plenty of opportunity to do that and yet space is still be afforded to opposing teams, particularly late in games. This despite long periods of games where the likes of Hector and Jones have looked solid in dealing with crosses and been prepared to throw themselves in front of shots at goal. It is inconsistency that seems to strangle all efforts to win games of late. We hear a lot about the need for better leadership both on and off the pitch. I guess we will just have to see if Michael Appleton is targeting players he knows can come in and deliver just that from day one.
Confidence is another thing that is clearly missing just now. A game against high flying Peterborough at home doesn’t look the most likely to end this run of not winning a game. There should be no doubt that a win next Saturday would be a big confidence booster. On current performances we will need to be at least two clear goals ahead going into the final ten minutes to have a realistic chance!