There have been no reports of fans handing back their season tickets or rending their shirts after the news that Charlie Kirk has left Charlton by mutual consent, i.e., he was paid off.
He must be one of the most disappointing signings in the past decade which is saying something. He was offered plenty of opportunities to show what he could do.
Charlie Kirk is to make a loan move before the transfer deadline, most likely to Burton Albion: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-winger-charlie-kirk-expected-to-make-loan-move-away-before-deadline/
I thought that he had great potential when he was signed, but it has not worked out for him at Charlton.
There could be loan interest in Charlie Kirk, but supremo Dean Holden is remaining tight lipped about moves in and out of the club: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-have-had-interest-in-their-players-at-start-of-january-window/
Mandela Egbo will not be returning from injury any time soon. Dean Holden admits that the injury situation of Chuks Aneke is not easy to manage: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/summer-signing-still-a-long-way-away-from-being-back-available-for-charlton-athletic/
Charlie Kirk has settled in well on his return to London: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charltons-charlie-kirk-im-loving-life-back-in-london-at-the-moment/
However, he admits Ben Garner had to have stern words with him earlier in the campaign.
Louis Mendez says there is no excuse for what Charlton served up at the back at Burton. He also discusses what will be a massive time for Craig MacGillivray: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/four-takeaways-from-charltons-thrilling-3-3-draw-at-burton-the-addicks-continue-to-be-a-defensive-liability/
After going 2-0 ahead, Charlton ended with a 3-3 draw at the Pirelli Stadium today. Charlton have slipped back to 11th.
Joe Wollacott injured his finger in the warm up and Craig MacGillivray took his place at Burton Albion.
The start of the game was very scrappy, no real chances for either side.
MacGillivray had to make a good save, tipping the ball over the bar.
Inniss stepped inside his man, made a great run and fed Kirk in the penalty area who scored brilliantly with his left foot on 25 minutes.
MacGillivray dealt with a dangerous ball well, getting a whack on his hip. He received some precautionary treatment.
Kirk got his second on 36 minutes with a wonderful finish, after a long ball forward reached Stockley, Kirk reacted long before any Burton players did.
Burton got a free kick after the re-start and Oshilaja scored at the near post, getting ahead of Dobson.
Rak-Sakyi won Charlton a corner which led to a second, Campbell forcing Taylor backwards but it was unproductive.
Sessegnon defended an Oshilaja cross at the expense of a corner which was taken short.
Charlton struggled to clear their lines and Hamer equalised with a volley just before half time. MacGillivray was blinded by Inniss.
A Dobson shot was deflected for a corner after much sharper and quicker passing.
Campbell made a great run but lost his footing.
Curbs said it was a difficult bobbly pitch, very dry. Steve Brown said it was a laboured first half from us.
HT: Brewers 2, Addicks 2
A shot by Sessegnon went just over the bar after good build up play involving Campbell.
A Sessegnon cross hit the bar and went out of play.
Burton scored a third with MacGillivray having no chance. It followed a Charlton goal kick.
A scramble in front of goal followed a throw in, Inniss just managed to clear.
Aneke and Blackett-Taylor came on. Campbell and Stockley came off.
MacGillivray had to tip a shot from Smith over the bar with Charlton under pressure. From the corner Charlton were second to the ball again.
Burton won another corner. Inniss headed away. Taylor got a yellow card for fouling Rak-Sakyi.
Problems arose after a MacGillivray kick that was not long enough.
Dobson came off and Forster-Caskey came on for his first league appearance. Kirk came off, he had not been involved much in the second half and was replaced by Payne.
Aneke fed Rak-Sakyi well and he put it over the top of the keeper to make it 3-3.
Rak-Sakyi was involved in a counter attack, but it was stopped by a block.
MacGillivray had to tip a header over. He was able to gather the corner.
MacGillivray had to tip the ball over again. The corner was cleared.
Blackett-Taylor threatened, but the ball skied off his boot.
It was end to end as MacGillivray had to make another save. Fraser came off and was replaced by Morgan.
Rak-Sakyi was fed by Aneke but was not able to make use of it.
Burton won a late corner, but did not convert.
The pundits
Curbs said that on the balance of play we had to be happy with a point. We did look shaky, especially on set plays. We rode our luck, we had taken one point off two teams at the bottom of the league.
Steve Brown said they had so many chances second half. We had to be productive with the possession. It was the poorest he had seen Dobson play. Our two central midfield players were very deep. Curbs said that for the opening Burton goal Dobson had time to swap with one of the big boys.
Steve Brown said that in the second half we were losing headers a lot from long throw ins.
For the third goal Steve Brown said that Fraser was nowhere near good enough.
Ben Garner says Charlton are 'running on fumes' at the moment with eight players out because of injuries and suspensions: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-boss-ben-garner-after-3-3-draw-at-burton-were-running-on-fumes-at-the-moment/
'Gobby' thinks that the half time booing at Charlton was tame compared with the Duchatelet era (when some fans think times were better): https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/that-was-tame-oxford-united-manager-karl-robinson-on-valley-boos-for-charlton-athletic/
Robinson was full of praise for Charlie Kirk.
Ben Garner thinks three at the back can work, despite switching to 4-4-2 at half time yesterday. However, players have to commit to it and do what they are supposed to, remarks that are quite critical of the players: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-boss-garner-three-man-central-defence-can-work-but-players-need-to-commit-to-it/
My newsagent uncle was a great advocate of 'reading between the lines' of newspaper stories and this is what Richard Cawley reckons we should do in relation to Ben Garner's account of why Charlie Kirk was left out of last night's squad: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/he-just-wasnt-selected-charlton-boss-explains-why-winger-an-absentee-from-his-squad/
Garner also explained why Jayden Stockley was left out (not entirely convincingly) and why Miles Leaburn started (more convincingly). He was able to offer relatively little hope on Chuks Aneke: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-boss-on-why-jayden-stockley-was-benched-against-forest-green-rovers/
There have been no bids for Charlie Kirk in this transfer window and Ben Garner is enjoying working with him: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-boss-on-whether-former-blackpool-loanee-could-be-on-transfer-move-again/
There is no guarantee that Charlie Kirk will not leave before the end of the transfer window despite an impressive performance against Plymouth last night: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-boss-offering-no-guarantees-that-former-blackpool-loanee-definitely-not-moving-before-transfer-deadline/
Reports from the Daily Record have to be treated with a large pinch of salt, but there may be something in report Hibs interest in Charlie Kirk: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/charlie-kirk-wanted-hibs-transfer-27632358
However, it now appears that loan club Blackpool and cash strapped Reading are also interested: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-winger-drawing-interest-from-three-clubs/
Blackpool claim that they cannot afford to pay £500,000 to retain Charlie Kirk and are trying to push the price down: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/blackpool-not-prepared-to-trigger-automatic-deal-for-charlton-athletic-winger/
Some fans argue that we should not let him go on the cheap, but he may not settle and perform if he returns and we would save his wages.
The release of Conor Washington was certainly the biggest surprise in the end of season retained list: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/conor-washington-the-most-notable-name-in-charlton-athletics-released-list/
Perhaps the lack of goals was an issue, but he contributed in other ways and had a good partnership with Stockley. An alternative explanation is that he was made an offer but turned it down as not good enough.
Among the other decisions, the retention of injury prone Ryan Inniss has been controversial, Forster-Caskey is probably a better bet on the injury front. Josh Davision has scored nine goals at League Two Swindon, but is probably being retained to sell on, although he may stay until January as cover. More here: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-trigger-contract-extensions-for-four-players-including-forster-caskey-and-inniss/
Blackpool could still be interested in Charlie Kirk, but at a lower fee than £500,000: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/blackpool-still-interested-in-summer-deal-for-charlton-athletic-winger/
Lots of potentially interesting players have been released elsewhere.
Charlie Kirk is not on Blackpool's retained list for next season so he will be returning to SE7.
This will present a dilemma for any new manager unless he can be offloaded on a northern club at a decent price,
Louis Mendez has confirmed that, as anticipated, Jason Pearce will be leaving the club. No one can doubt his commitment and I think that a National League club may well be interested in using his experience.
Pearce hopes that there may be a coaching role for him at Charlton which he could combine with playing for a non-league or League 2 club: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-defender-confirms-he-wont-be-offered-new-playing-contract/
Johnnie Jackson has said that Charlie Kirk will be offered 'every opportunity' if he returns to Charlton. Well, he has to say that, but he could well be demoralised and it would be best for him and the club if he did not return: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/he-will-be-afforded-every-opportunity-charlton-boss-has-his-say-on-blackpool-loanee-winger/
Fans who went to see Charlton Women play their final game of the season at The Valley saw a 2-1 win over Durham City: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/womens-football-charlton-women-make-it-a-winning-experience-at-the-valley/
One fan who was there said he had never seen the men's team pass the ball properly and actually communicate with each other.
Blackpool manager Neil Critchley will consider the future of Charlie Kirk over the next few weeks: https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/football-news/blackpool-charlton-charlie-kirk-crewe-23775027
Blackpool have an option to buy Kirk for around the £500,000 Charlton paid for him. He has featured more in the Blackpool side in recent weeks.
Kirk arrived at Charlton at a difficult time for him personally. It has also been suggested that he is happier in the north of England.
He looked like a promising signing, but didn't fit into the Charlton system. If he stayed at Blackpool it would be better for him and us.
Tottenham Hotspur attacking midfielder Nile John has joined Charlton on loan. He comes highly recommended by Chris Powell who accompanied him to Sparrows Lane.
Chris Powell commented to the SLP: 'We primarily play him as an attacking midfielder but he's got a good understanding, in some games he has played deeper. It will be a real test for him at League One level but we have no doubts about his quality and his potential.'
'He will go to a club I know well and that I recommended when
I heard there was interest. Straight away I knew with John [Jackson], Jason
[Euell] - and I'd been speaking with Steve Gallen - that he would add to the
group.'
Charlie Kirk has joined Blackpool on loan in a deal that may become permanent. Blackpool boss Neil Critchley worked with Kirk at Crewe.
Johnnie Jackson discusses Kirk's move here: Charlton boss Johnnie Jackson gives his take on Charlie Kirk’s loan move to Blackpool – South London News (londonnewsonline.co.uk)
Richard Cawley reports that the signing of Marcus Browne is still 'a work in progress'. If it goes ahead, h he will be the last signing in the window.
Charlton are no longer in the running to sign Jermain Defoe.
Charlton are willing to listen to loan offers for Charle Kirk which could make room for an attacking addition to the squad: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/exclusive-charlton-ready-to-listen-to-loan-offers-for-blackpool-linked-winger/
Richard Cawley reckons that reports that Charlie Kirk may go to Blackpool 'make sense': https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-winger-charlie-kirk-on-blackpools-transfer-shortlist-as-forest-pushing-for-bowler/
Like many fans I thought that Kirk was a good signing but, for whatever reason, it hasn't worked. We might as well recoup the money we paid, plus hopefully some more.
It would create the financial space to sign Elliot Lee, although I have mixed feelings about that. He plays some neat football, but I would like to see more product.
Nigel Adkins says that Charlie Kirk has taken time to adjust to life at Charlton, he also discusses why Jayden Stockley has not started: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/nigel-adkins-charlie-kirk-has-had-to-acclimatise-to-life-at-charlton-athletic/
Crewe boss David Artell thinks that Charlie Kirk is a great acquisition for Charlton. He considers that poor decision-making cost them the game yesterday. Maybe, but you have to be ready to take advantage of poor decisions by the opposition: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/some-buggers-in-south-london-have-bought-one-of-our-best-players-crewe-boss-on-charlton-new-boy-charlie-kirk/
