New Season, New Start!

Well, after such a downturn in fortune over the past three years, it is now the time to move on.

I was amongst the many who were concerned about this campaign. The keeping of Phil Parkinson at the helm and a policy of not spending our little money to chase the dream straight back to the Championship were questionable as well.

However, as Charlton fans, we generally get on with it and make the best of what we have.

The early season success should not be blown out of proportion but it is unfair not to give recognition of a job being well done. Indeed, we are currently experiencing a good run of form and this is very promising.

The signings on transfer deadline day will bolster our numbers and hopefully give us depth to sustain our challenge in the division. It was my main gripe with Alan Pardew last season that we seemed to disregard the lack on centre half's at the club. Whilst we are still not overloaded this year, at least it has been addressed.

We have also opted for some experience in key areas. Centre backs and strikers are key to achieving the aim of promotion and scrapping our ludicrous loan player debacle from last term was also essential.

A good start, positive times ahead.

Come on you reds!!!

Is this really good enough?

Well a long reflection, the closing of the transfer window and the predictable phoenix rising of Manchester Untied and we arrive at the most critical time of the season.



Although the thought of buying anyone was a long way from the board's minds, it seems that perhaps this needed some consideration.



We have relied on loan signings all season and our predicament is the result. Is this because of the lack of commitment from players that were not in the long term plans of the club.



Surely, we should only bring players in that we hope to retain permanently!!!



News on Zheng Zhi returning to fitness would have been welcomed, if the player had not immediately stated the fact that he is unlikely to be at the club next season.



Whilst I accept this is most likely, surely he should be commenting on his contribution to rescuing the club. After all, he has been quoted as looking to move away before without any takers!!!



Getting a balanced team and using players eager to impress seems to have improved performances over recent games, if not for the full 90 minutes.



Both Rob Elliot and Darren Randolph are good prospects and could be the long term answer for the club. Grant Basey, Yassin Moutaouakil, JonJo Shelvey, Josh Wright, Scott Wagstaff etc... are all improving players and will benefit from a team performing well.



Whatever the outcome this season, these issues need to be remembered:

• Loan players must be carefully selected. Only potential signings or full season premier players should be considered. Premier players must not be assumed to fit into the team and an analysis of their commitment has to be looked at.


• You need players for the spine of the team. A good keeper, two strong centre halves, a talented midfielder and a goal scorer. Not sure we started this season with any of these.


• Consistency is key. Give players a chance and don't keep chopping and changing.

We are a great family club and the turmoil of recent times is contributed to by the current economic climate but are we being treated fairly?

I don't want to see us give up and a sequence of wins could lift the whole club. We are continually getting leads and not holding onto them. Why?

This is the point from the start of the season. We have not centre backs. Bringing replacements in is stupid. Not because the players are poor but because we should have had sufficient players at the club from start of the season.

We are Charlton. Once everybody's example as a team to aspire to be like. Let's get us back there!!!