Wednesday 30 June 2021

Sunderland signing rumours

Unconfirmed reports are stating that midfielder George Dobson has signed for Charlton from Sunderland and has agreed personal terms: https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/george-dobson-agrees-deal-with-sunderlands-league-one-rivals-as-permanent-exit-nears-reports-3290971

He was on loan at AFC Wimbledon for the second half of last season.

Some Sunderland fans say he is rubbish, but they often do about a player who is leaving.

Last minute talks continue

Adam Matthews and Jake Forster-Caskey will become free agents tomorrow, but talks with them about new contracts are continuing.   Richard Cawley of the SLP notes that it is evident that Nigel Adkins wants Matthews to stay: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-still-in-negotiations-with-adam-matthews-and-jake-forster-caskey/

Opinions about Matthews among fans vary, but on balance I think he is worth keeping.

Forster-Caskey will in any case miss the start of the season as he recovers from his knee injury.

Paul Mullin in the frame

Unconfirmed reports are linking Charlton with Cambridge United striker Paul Mullin.  The so-called 'goal machine' has rejected a new contract at Cambridge.

He was the top scorer in League Two last season with 32 goals.   Career details: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Mullin_(footballer,_born_1994)

Tuesday 29 June 2021

More signings on the way

Steve Gallen has told Richard Cawley of the SLP:  'I expect players to be coming in. I won’t put any timeline on it, just yet. It’s all in motion. There’s going to be some more happening now.'

'Once you get one or two [signings] then one or two more will start happening. We’ll get it moving now.'

Not too soon for some of the more impatient fans!

Gallen also revealed that he did a character check on Charlton's new goalkeeper which confirmed that he is consistent and mature: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-transfer-chief-reveals-talks-with-ex-millwall-duo-as-he-did-character-check-on-new-boy-macgillivray/

The South Norwood Addick assesses Craig MacGillivray and concludes that he is an excellent shot stopper, although less good at playing out from the back: https://southnorwoodaddick.com/2021/06/29/clash-of-the-titans-craig-macgillivray-v-ben-amos/

Portsmouth supremo Danny Cowley has revealed that keeping MacGillivray did not make sense for the cash strapped club: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/portsmouth-boss-explains-why-deal-for-charlton-new-boy-macgillivray-didnt-add-up/

Monday 28 June 2021

Keeper signs reports

Unconfirmed reports are stating that Portsmouth keeper Craig MacGillivray has signed for Charlton.

Career details (already listed as playing for Charlton): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_MacGillivray_(footballer)

Sunday 27 June 2021

Millar going cuckoo?

Looks as if Liam Millar may be making a permanent move to Basel, he is keen on joining the leading Swiss club.  Nigel Adkins had hoped he might return to Charlton, but it never looked likely: https://insidefutbol.com/2021/06/27/basel-locked-in-talks-with-liverpool-to-land-charlton-athletic-target-liam-millar/515340/

Views among fans differed, although I liked him.   Switzerland is a relatively unusual destination for players from UK clubs.   As Orson Welles said, one thousand years of Swiss civilisation produced the cuckoo clock.  And a very good standard of living.

Liverpool have reportedly turned down an offer of £1m.

Charlton keepers after Bartram

After last week's article on Sam Bartram, I look at Charlton goalkeepers after Sam Bartram, starting with Eddie Marsh and selecting Dean Kiely as the one I rank alongside Bartram: https://retrocharlton.blogspot.com/2021/06/they-also-kept-goal.html

Saturday 26 June 2021

Farewell, then, Ben Amos?

Richard Cawley has said that it looks likely that Ben Amos will join Wigan.   (He now has).   This would be a sideways move, unlike Chuks Aneke going to Birmingham, although Aneke is likely to be confined to the bench and the treatment room.

Some fans have suggested that Ashley Maynard-Brewer should replace Amos.  He certainly has potential, but remains unproven at League 1 level.  At the very least, we need an experienced keeper who can provide competition, but they are not easy to find.

Amos turned down a return to Manchester United as he wanted regular football.   He also rejected Ipswich Town for a move 'oop north.


Panic over

There was some concern this morning about a filing on Companies House that appeared to suggest that Thomas Sandgaard had relinquished significant control of Charlton, leading to suspicions of meddling.

However, barrister Lauren Kreamer has clarified the situation: 'Nothing to worry about from my perspective. I suspect correcting a mistake in the filings from the time of the takeover - TS isn’t the owner of CAFC, Clear Ocean Capital is. COC should appear on the register for CAFC, and then TS will appear on the COC register. Hope that helps!'

Friday 25 June 2021

Stockley put his house on Charlton move

Jayden Stockley put in an offer on a house within reach of Charlton as soon as his loan spell ended, but his admitted that there were times when the deal was at risk.   He notes that he has never been in as much demand as he was this summer: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/jayden-stockley-on-putting-his-house-on-charlton-athletic-move-and-being-in-big-demand-from-league-ones-top-clubs-this-summer/

Congratulations to Johnnie Jackson on completing his UEFA Pro license.

Aneke to join Bowyer?

Unconfirmed reports state that Chuks Aneke is to join Lee Bowyer at Birmingham City: https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/exclusive-charlton-athletic-ace-set-for-birmingham-city-move-to-reunite-with-lee-bowyer/ 

The move has now been confirmed by Richard Cawley: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-striker-chuks-aneke-set-to-join-birmingham-city-on-free-transfer/

He couldn't last 90 minutes, but he did have an ability to unsettle opposing teams.

Wednesday 23 June 2021

Charlton lose out on target

Charlton have lost the race for Jordan Graham who is going to Birmingham City: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/birmingham-city-set-to-win-race-for-jordan-graham-winger-had-held-talks-with-charlton-athletic/

Richard Cawley of the SLP has commented: 'Reality is that Charlton are chasing good players and some of those have Championship options. Always hard to compete if that offer becomes a concrete one.'

Sunday 20 June 2021

Another cap for Gunter

Chris Gunter played the entire game in the 1-0 defeat of Wales by Italy this afternoon which saw them qualify for the knockout stages of Euro 2020.

Gunter put his head to a corner in the first half but the ball ended up on the roof of the net.

He received a yellow card in the second half for a challenge.

Mote here: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charltons-chris-gunter-wins-102nd-cap-as-wales-qualify-for-knockout-stages-of-european-championships/

Remembering Sam Bartram

Sam Bartram is the subject of the latest Charlton Retro post.  Why did he never get international honours?  Did his style of play predate the modern sweeper keeper, or could he been seen as undisciplined?  https://retrocharlton.blogspot.com/2021/06/remembering-sam-bartram.html

Saturday 19 June 2021

Ipswich interest in Amos

Richard Cawley of the SLP says that Ipswich Town are interested in Ben Amos, but Charlton are in talks with him.   A typical response from Charlton fans is that they would be sorry to see him go, but he is not irreplaceable.

Andy Marshall, goalkeeping coach since 2018, is to join Lee Bowyer in that role at Birmingham City.  More here: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-goalkeeping-coach-andy-marshall-set-to-join-birmingham-city/

Friday 18 June 2021

Curbs looks back

A very interesting in depth interview with Alan Curbishey conducted by the SLP's Richard Cawley: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/alan-curbishley-on-his-key-season-in-charge-of-charlton-putting-record-straight-over-his-exit-and-being-picky-over-other-boss-jobs/

Curbishley emphasises how important the time at Upton Park was for rebuilding the club by developing a siege mentality.   This phase in our history is often overlooked.

One thing that still irks Curbs is the notion that he was forced out by fans dissatisfied by the failure to secure a European place.

After leaving West Ham, Curbs didn't think he was getting offered the jobs that were right for him and ignored good advice from Sir Alex Ferguson.   Looking back, he admits that he was too picky, hoping for a club a bit like Charlton [and there are very few of those].

Stockley backed to peak at Charlton

Nigel Adkins is convinced that Jayden Stockley is coming into his prime and will spend his best years at Charlton.  Meanwhile, the search for other new signings continues: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/massive-influence-jayden-stockley-backed-to-peak-at-charlton-athletic/

Will ye no come back again?

Nigel Adkins would be interested in loaning Liam Millar and Ian Maatsen again next season, although he expects them to join Championship clubs: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-certainly-interested-in-loan-returns-for-liverpool-and-chelsea-loanees/

I would be more interested in Millar, I think that Maatsen still needs quite a lot of development work.

Thursday 17 June 2021

One that got away

24-year old Exeter City winger Joel Randall has been on Charlton's radar since January.  However, Richard Cawley states that the club knew that he was destined for a higher level in this window.

Academy staff changes

A number of changes have been made to the staffing of the Charlton academy to fill the void left by the promotion of Jason Euell to first team coach: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/anthony-hayes-takes-charge-of-u23s-as-part-of-charlton-athletic-academy-job-changes/

Wednesday 16 June 2021

Stockley determined to deliver

Jayden Stockley is putting on pressure on himself in terms of personal targets for the coming season at Charlton: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/jayden-stockley-putting-big-pressure-on-himself-to-deliver-at-charlton-athletic/

Stockley is the type of player who requires good service.  It is no good hoofing long wild balls up to him. We need more quality in midfield.

Monday 14 June 2021

Four clubs in for Stockley

Charlton have now put in a bid for Jayden Stockley according to Lancashire sources.  However, four League One clubs have now done so, including the Massives, and Portsmouth are still seen as favourites to secure his signature: https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/preston-north-end/league-one-clubs-in-fight-to-sign-preston-striker-jayden-stockley-3271492

Saturday 12 June 2021

BBC's Gunter tribute

Chris Gunter was an unused substitute in this afternoon's 1-1 draw between Wales and Switzerland, but the BBC decided to pay their own tribute to Wales's most capped player.

Apparently, he is the unofficial DJ of the Wales team so BBC Sounds have put together a compilation of his favourite tracks: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000x060

Graham Tutt on rebuilding his life

Addicks keeper Graham Tutt talks to Benjy Nurick about the devastating eye injury at Sunderland that ended his career: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/former-charlton-keeper-grahm-tutt-on-rebuilding-his-life-and-career-after-sustaining-serious-eye-injury-in-televised-match-at-sunderlands-roker-park/

Friday 11 June 2021

Can a deal be done with out of contract players?

All out of contract players including Chuks Aneke want to stay at Charlton says Nigel Adkins: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-boss-nigel-adkins-all-our-out-of-contract-players-want-to-stay/

However, no contracts have been actually signed and negotiations are proceeding with Steve Gallen.  Any deals will have to be within the budget.

Responding to comments that other League One clubs have already made signings, Adkins says that he recognises the importance of recruitment and is available all the time to talk to players.

A regular summer phenomenon is Charlton fans complaining about the paucity of signings.  However, the team that matters is the one that plays in the first match of the season.   There is no point in making signings for the sake of making a signing.   The emphasis has to be on quality and how the player fits into the way Adkins wants to play.

Saturday 5 June 2021

Portsmouth in for Stockley

Portsmouth are interested in Charlton target Jayden Stockley:: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/portsmouth-in-the-transfer-mix-for-charlton-loan-hit-jayden-stockley/ 

What I have been picking up is that Portsmouth are strapped for cash.   However, Preston have now given him permission to talk to Portsmouth, so expect some goals scored against us.

A move to Portsmouth would be closer to his home town of Poole.   A transfer fee of £750,000, which is what Preston paid to Exeter, is expected.

Richaed Cawley notes that he is attractive to most top end League One clubs.

Thursday 3 June 2021

Traditional pre-season fixture is off

Charlton fans have reacted with disappointment to the news that the annual fixture with Welling United at Park View Road which traditionally opens the pre-season is not happening this year.  The fixture was originally known as the Crown Berger Cup, although what happened to the cup is not known.

The fixture was convenient for locally based Charlton fans who have pointed out that Welling forms part of the Charlton family.

Wednesday 2 June 2021

Williams and Taylor on their way out

Cardiff City have released Jonny Williams after six months, but I don't think we should be inviting him back: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/cardiff-city-release-former-charlton-and-crystal-palace-midfielder-jonny-williams/

Reports are indicating that Nottingham Forest are considering releasing Lyle Taylor who made only 15 Championship appearances last season.   Barnsley, Blackpool and Middlesbrough are considering taking him on loan.

A straw poll of nearly 300 Charlton fans showed a clear majority against a return to The Valley.

Tuesday 1 June 2021

No decision from Aneke

Chuks Aneke has not turned down Charlton's contract offer, but at least five other clubs are interested in him.  These include Championship clubs: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/chuks-aneke-has-not-turned-down-charlton-athletic-contract-offer/