Transfer window promises
Although it wasn’t surprising to see us lose last night and exit the final cup competition of our season, it was a surprise that Michael Appleton refused to include Chem Campbell and James Abankwah in the matchday squad. There was also no place for Charlie Kirk, who clearly has played his last game in a Charlton shirt.
In patches I quite liked the look of Campbell (C), and the Wolves loanee has only had patches to show what he can do. As for Abankwah he looked lost when he featured, but was playing out of position at right back.
Add those two to the injured Terry Taylor and Pan Camara plus the ineffective Slobodan Tedic it doesn’t fill me with bed wetting anticipation of a season-changing January transfer window.
This is what Andy Scott said of Campbell upon signing him: “He is a player I have seen a lot of recently and going back a number of years. I remember seeing him for Wolves in a game against PSG and was really impressed with him, so I’ve kept an eye on him. He is direct, he has got good physicality and good ball carrying skills. He is an attacking threat that can assist, create and score goals.”
This what Scott said of Abankwah: “James is a highly-regarded young player who was the subject of a large transfer fee from St. Patrick’s in Ireland to Udinese. He has already made his debut in Serie A which shows how much they think of him.
“He is a player that I watched a number of years ago in Ireland and I have followed his career ever since, through the Republic of Ireland youth age groups from U16 to U21 level. All the reports we have had on him are exceptional and, with James joining, it gives us more defensive versatility.”
Hardly feels you with confidence.
Scott, despite his denials, was at the centre of our transfer dealings last January too. I give you Gavin Kilkenny, Matt Penney, Todd Kane and Macauley Bonne….
This time Scott promises we are going to start early. Broken record and false promises jump to mind, but with Appleton clearly ditching players we are paying salaries for, I hope he at least has some input into our transfer dealings because despite his polished interviews I am remain unconvinced that Scott is as polished in his transfer negotiations.
Remember it was Dean Holden that persuaded Scott and Rodwell that we should spend money on Alfie May.
Andy Scott there needs to be questions asked snout his failures ! And why does he keep saying “ when Dean chose to leave or left “ it was Scott who sacked him ! Can’t trust a person who doesn’t tell the truth!
Out of three cup competitions before Christmas (not that I ever wanted us to compete in the pisspot trophy) Just the league left to hold our interest.
As we are, chances of play-offs? zero.
We seem to have a team of bad loans/transfers. Injury prone players and one or two who simply blow hot’n’cold (take a bow CBT)
Once again we’re promised early action in the transfer window. Well we need possibly six players in (and six or more out)
Expect to be disappointed…….again.
It’s gone beyond the stage where l give a f*** anymore. Yet more talk and empty promises (cue Groundhog Day). If talk was converted into points then Charlton would be runaway leaders. If there was any justice then it would be Scott who would be facing questions about his below par performance so far.
To be honest we’ve not had a decent transfer window since the Gallagher, Beilik, and Cullen era. I’ve got no expectations that things will change anytime soon. Neither Gallen, (in his last couple of years) and now Scott have filled me with hope that we will recruit players of enough quality, to get us out of the woeful division that we are in. Prepare for more ineffectual unknowns and fringe players to join us on 31st January !!!!
Our two most pressing problems are a back 4 that gets undone and a midfield that never dominates. My solution is to put George at center back and play 3 creative midfielders, with Alfie a true #9. Dobson has to do too much defensive covering to contribute much in midfield. Hector is a liability while Ness has lost all confidence. A line of T.Watson; Dobson; Jones; Edun will be much better, with Nathan on the bench.
I can’t help feeling that the Ghost of Duchatelet Past looms large in all the doom and gloom surrounding our awful situation.
If we had owners who were invested in the Club (rather than merely making an investment), a Manager-Coach who had the tools to do the job then players might show enthusiasm for and pride in the Club.
It’s not surprising that Norfolk Red (and many other) supporters feel as they do. We’ve had nothing to feel glad about since the time Duchatelet took over. Then downhill ever since then. I despair too and I can’t see a way out… CAFC urgently needs a whacking great Christmas present from the Christmas fairy.
With the apparent total lack of interest shown by CBT over the last few weeks, has his January transfer to a Championship Club already been agreed? Is he the new Lyle Taylor?