Have we got goals in Peeters new look team?

I wonder if the Addicks have finished their summer shopping, I hope not as I still think we look short on options and most importantly firepower.

Scoring goals last season was our biggest handicap and I still don’t think Peeters and Duchâtelet have done enough to address that. I have my reservations on Pigott, but Peeters has started the youngster in every friendly so far. Still only 20, and with time to bloom, he began last season in the 1st team picture but was eventually unable to unseat more experienced players. Even though those players weren’t doing it.

Other than Yann, those picked in front of Joe – Church, Obika, Tudgay, Reza and Sordell, except in the final fixtures – didn’t deliver goals either. Piotr Parzyszek wasn’t considered good enough by three managers and has now moved elsewhere in the network on loan.

Obika, Tudgay and Sordell were all on loan and have moved on. There is still no decision on Reza, but I think it is unlikely we will see him in a Charlton shirt again. That leaves only Churchy, who I think gets unjust stick. I personally value his work rate and non-stop effort for the cause, but, I know his goals are not going to rocket us to promotion. Then there’s Pigott of course and the two new signings.

Vetokele offers potential, judging by his career stats, and he appears to have a real desire to succeed in England. Țucudean is an unknown quantity and his signing reminds me a little of Parzyszek, who like the Romanian has scored most of his goals in a backwater European 2nd Division.

In Țucudean’s favour is that he is older than Polish Pete and has a build much more suited for The Championship. But goals is still a concern for me as has been shown in pre-season, except for a 45 minute half against a Gibraltar XI.

I have been around long enough and seen for myself how pre-season results are no judge for what to expect over the next 9 months. It is all about the things we can’t see such as preparation, fitness, building togetherness and a siege mentality.

Nonetheless pre-season has been a bit ugh. A too early pre-season tournament in Belgium, probably foisted upon Peeters. Defeats to two non-league sides and a couple of training ground victories.

Peeters still admits that he is working on his starting XI, although he said that he knows what formation he will play. Wednesday night the Addicks probably have their biggest pre-season test with a game at Peterborough.

Posh are playing their last pre-season home game, and beat a full-strength Brighton team on Saturday. Ben Alnwick will be in goal for the hosts and I hope he gets a good reception by any travelling Addicks.

Portsmouth wrap up our pre-season on Saturday and then it is all systems go. By then I am hoping we have another striker in the building.