Clarke-Harris waiting game
On Saturday evening both Michael Appleton and Darren Ferguson threw a fire blanket over the Addicks signing Jonson Clarke-Harris.
The 29-year old has plundered a career 150 goals, 111 in his last 220 games, the man knows his price and if he’s smart he’ll wait until the summer become a free agent and probably have a promotion medal in his locker as well.
There may also be a Wembley appearance in the Pizza Trophy. What can we offer?
The Addicks’ have matched Darragh MacAnthony’s valuation, which I believe no one else has, even Wrexham. We offered Clarke-Harris a healthy pay rise, but seemingly we are not prepared to pay what the striker wants.
Question is do we wait, do we look elsewhere, do we throw the cheque book at Clarke-Harris now?
Our need for a target man is great. Other options could include Cole Stockton, Sam Smith, Niall Ennis or Stephen Humphrys.
After signing four new players it was obvious that injury news would not be far behind and now Michael Hector is out with a hamstring injury until April.
The list of frustrations from this Charlton team is endless this season, but without wishing Hector ill, for me he has been top three in that list. We’ll have to cope without him.
We should move on IMO.
He clearly does not want to play for us otherwise he would have accepted last week. He is playing the mercenary game which of course he has every right to do, just not at our expense. We need someone like Alfie who actually wanted to come here (for reasons best known to himself).We can only offer L1 football next year (hopefully) and JCH will no doubt have bigger fish to fry. Someone like Ladapo on loan and look again in the Summer.
Why select a player whose heart and soul is not at Charlton ! Andy Scott needs to move on and find a player happy to come and play for the shirt not the money !
In my view this season is a write off anyway and so we are not in any great hurry. If he wants to sign great, if not fine.
I know people are also calling for Appleton to be sacked. I say give him until
the end of the season at least. If results improve fantastic, if not we replace the manager and allow them to strengthen the team ready for next season.
The fact that Charlton are replacing their manager every 5 minutes doesn’t make the job very appealing to any up and coming managers who we should be looking to attract.
I think we need to move on…..he’s stalling trying to get a “better offer” so clearly he is not hell-bent in joining us.
We need to get players who want to be here and not someone who is only interested in money.
Agree with most of the comments, Charlton should have already closed the door on him, as Peterbourgh have said themselves Charlton have offered him good terms, but obviously he isn’t really interested in playing for Charlton and just in it for the money as he gradually winds down for his early pension!
Close the offer now, its becoming an embarrassment, as we only want players such as May etc who want to play for the club. If he did join now, sure as eggs are eggs he would give a load of bull…. how he was really looking forward to play for Charlton and couldn’t wait to get here etc but couldn’t really care a less if he plays or not as he’s still getting paid until his retirement, as so many players have done to us in the past!