It has been a rather quiet summer over in SE7, as the League One champions prepare for their first season back in the Championship.
The Addicks have made two relatively low keys signings as firstly former youth trainee Lawrie Wilson was resigned from Stevenage. Wilson came through the youth ranks at Charlton but never made the cut and was released. However he has impressed as part of the amazing Stevenage team who won back to back promotion, and who reached the League One playoffs last season.
The other new arrival is young winger Jordan Cook who has signed after his release from Sunderland. Cook spent the latter part of last season on-loan at Carlisle and I remember him impressing in the game that clinched our promotion, causing the highly-respected full back Rhoys Wiggins plenty of problems.
Although many fans have seemed disappointed at the lack of transfer business, has there really been a need for a whole host of new signings? Especially after last year’s record equalling highest ever points tally in League One.
However I do still feel we need another centre-back whether that’s to play as cover or a very experienced defender. We probably also require a clinical goalscorer because I keep saying this we cannot rely on BWP all season and if Haynes gets injured were just left with Kermogant who is an amazing player but he is more of a target man rather than goal poacher.
Realistically as long as we stay up next season I will be happy, however I would like to push on than just that and I believe we are capable of hitting a top half finish. However I know it will be a very hard season but if come the business end of the season and we’re still in with a shout of nicking a playoff spot, I would say that is a job very well done. Who know's, we could even become the third team in three years to do back to back promotions following in Norwich and Southampton’s footsteps. We certainly have the stadium, the fan base and the manager in which I believe we could do.
Certainly the players everyone will have to look out for this season are:
Johnnie Jackson-The amazing skipper has led us through some tough times and on several occasions last season he picked out the important goals need I say anymore than the Sheffield free kicks.
Chris Solly- The excellent right-back stole the show last season at the end of season awards winning every trophy and had it not been for Micah Richards getting the call-up to team GB as an experienced player Chris Solly could well have been donning the London 2012 games. Young and improving all the time it was very rare to see him make a mistake last season, more of the same this year please Chris.
Yann Kermorgant- Easily the signing of the season last year, Yann was snapped up on a free transfer. He scored 11 goals last season but more important was the work rate that this man put in was 100% week in week out. Leicester fans beware Kermos on a mission and I’m sure nothing would please him more than a couple past your lot.
So the final countdown is on, Charlton will finally be back in the second tier of English football!
COME ON YOU REDS!
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