Harvey Knibbs does become an Addick
Never in any doubt š.
Not sure what that was all about but welcome to The Valley Harvey Knibbs signed for an undisclosed fee tonight on a 4-year deal.
Knibbs has been a stand-out performer for Reading in League One just as he was for Cambridge in Leagueās One and Two previously.
Knibbs is another exciting signing with a lot of upside who plays as if Nathan Jones designed him. He can play wide and up front, but it will be at 10 that Jones will undoubtedly unleash him.
The 26-year old has played over 250 career games and scored 34 goals and collected 21 assists in 161 League One matches. Heās ready to step up.
Raised in Derbyshire the 26-year old was released by Nottingham Forest at 14, but then spent 7 years in Aston Villaās academy before moving to Cambridge after being released aged 21.
What happened in the last 24 hours only a few people will know, which doesnāt include me but Iām thinking maybe Reading pushed the price, and we shut the deal down, and called some bluff.
That chimes with something Jones said after the Ipswich game about not always believing the amount of fees being bandied around.
Anyway, panic over. Knibbs is now a Charlton player, the 9th signing of this summer window.
I’m feeling genuinely excited by some of the business that we have done this transfer window. Unlike last season, when the emphasis was clearly on recruiting experience (Godden, Berry & Docherty) to get out of League One, this time around we seem to gone for some younger players with something to prove at a higher level.
I’m most intrigued as to how NJ integrates this many new players quickly, and how different the team will look lining up against Watford to the one that played at Wembley. The kind of money that we have rumoured to have spent on Kelman, Knibbs & Apter, would suggest that they are not here to make up numbers. Will we see a lot of rotation this season, which goes against the settled team that kicked on in the second half of last season?
So many questions!!! Roll on the 9th…
Yes, I agree, and we haven’t had the budget of many teams in our league for a long time, and it’s been a while since we have spent that kind of money. The last one who did was, of course, the disastrous Manager Dowie.
Stating this and going back to JJ and LL, who hardly spent but got the new squad to gel immediately,
I am hoping that several players, or at least the core of last season’s magnificent squad get the chance to up their game and of course, there is a mix to be had.
At least now, players wanting to come to CAFC is a good sign, and yes, one or two have been carrying niggling injuries and Godden, Berry, and Mannion.
Godden will not be able to play every game, but both he and Mannion, IMHO had exceptional seasons and Berry, when on song had the class but all too infrequently.
The first two deserve the chance to start with, but IMHO it seems the new GK will start?
I was listening to the Chronicles and talking to a Luton supporter yesterday about the 3 signings, and talking of course about Jones.
He was talking about the GK and stated that as a shot stopper he was up there with the best, but he was not good at coming off his line and did say he needed a strong and vocal CH in front of him.
Older supporters will remember of course, Dean Kiely wonder saves and he was brilliant but the same for him.
I am pleased about the unexpected late signing of the Reading man and coming back to the other 2 ex-Luton players it appears they have had injury problems but the CH when he was fit was brilliant.
I just wonder if Jones will be able to bring in a very promising Premiership player on the fringe as a final signing?
I know he does not like in general loan signings and yes say no more about Allan Campbell, and of course, not to be compared to that brilliant Alan Campbell way back.
COYR and a surprise package and the old cliche we hope they can start well and remember another division when everyone is capable of beating anyone on their day.
It will be difficult but why not give it a go?
COYR.
I think two P words are going to be needed early on this season patience and don’t Panic, it’s going to take time to get in the groove stay positive and keep hearing them on, not many ‘ knockover teams in this league I’m mentally aiming mid table.
I agree with you DR. It will take time and there will be some bad results hopefully not too many. I am more optimistic than I was at the start of the transfer window. The board have put up the money and backed NJ. The transfer window is a difficult time for clubs, some fees will deemed to be questionable but overall I think we have done well and feel the squad have more depth in it. We have signed some young players and more experienced ones with a point to prove. Injuries will occur and squad rotation will come in, as NJ demands intensity for the whole game, the subs bench I feel be key, and for once looks like we will have impact players on there. Some championship clubs have broken club records and no doubt other clubs will splash the cash when the deadline approaches. Can we blend these players together and build some momentum. Yeap some are unproven at this level, but they are young and deserve their chance to play at this level. Maybe not all will be a success, and that happens at all clubs.
I remain optimistic and feel we are getting our club back. It is promising times at the club and letās enjoy these times, after the dark years of the last decade and get behind the team. COYR !
49 points is the safety target, get that and build from there.
Hugely impressive transfer business, some will work out brilliantly, some might not but we are in with a shout and look to have goals and pace in the side.
Iāll be at the Watford game and canāt recall being this excited for a season in years.
I am very happy about this pre-season business. The quality, experience and potential leave us in a good place. It looks to me as if we are gearing up for a different playing style. I could be wrong but it seems like we will have the ability to be playing through as well as around defences whilst retaining our ability to sit back and absorb pressure this season.
As stated above, not been this excited for a new season since we last were in the Championship. Looking forward to Watford.