Karlan Grant
Reece Burke headed in the only goal at Gillingham this afternoon in the latest pre-season run out. 2,747 were at Priestfield with almost 1,000 Addicks who were at least spared the scaffolding behind the goal.
Charlton again started in a 4-2-3-1 formation indicating that will be the way Jones will try to evolve the side. Ramsey started at right back noticeably, with Lloyd Jones and Billy Koumetio the central two, and Ivan Mesík left back. The whole starting XI was replaced mostly on the hour.
One injury scare was that Charlie Kelman was taken off after 25 minutes rubbing his shoulder. My mate in the ground seemed to think it was precautionary. Later Jones said that his shoulder had popped out.
My mate is not known for his medical assessments, but as a fan, he said it was an enjoyable watch particularly the more building out from the back and utilizing width. Koumetio was his stand-out.
Rob Apter missed out with an injury. Matty Godden played the last half hour. Trialist Nathan Redmond also bagged some more minutes, but I have to feel we need to shop in a higher quality aisle.
Next up are Jacko’s AFC Wimbledon next Saturday.
The rumour mill has been almost dry since the signings of Koumetio and Mesík, but post-match today Nathan Jones did confirm that they are in discussion with ex-Addick Karlan Grant.
Grant came through our academy known then with the additional surname of Ahearne. He did very well on loan at Crawley and then thrived under Lee Bowyer’s tutelage alongside Lyle Taylor in our 2018/19 promotion season but was sold from under Bow to then Premier League Huddersfield in the January window.
Now 28, Grant has played almost all of his football in the 2nd tier. He had a 6-year contract at West Brom, who they spent £15m on, and was offered a new one this summer, but turned it down.
He hasn’t been as prolific in front of goal since he was younger, but has been a regular in every season, including one on loan at Cardiff.
Jones would know him from our academy. Not sure how I feel about this one, but we do at least have a rumour!
If Redmond is the best we’re looking at we’re in trouble. Shocking lack of a left foot.
My brother and I have always called Karlan Grant ‘Scuffer’ as regular post match reports often referred to him ‘scuffing’ wide…a habit he still retains. If this is our goal scoring solution for the coming season we will, once again, be amongst the lowest scoring teams in the division.
Jones referred to one signing in the next week and another potential four signings down the line.
We know that the club often flies below the radar of the rumour mill, but I honestly expected us to do our business quicker than this. It would suggest that we need to offload players first, which is slightly worrying, as there seems to be very little happening there too, after the initial DK, A.Mitchell and Karoy rumours settled down.
For all the talk from Jones about the need to be ruthless with our dealings this summer, we have seen very little of that in action. Maybe the rumours around Doc would be evidence of that starting to happen?
Karlan….mmmm….thanks but no thanks,we can do much better and need to.
While he was with us he was OK but his career really didn’t take off.
Just announced by the club they have signed Karlan back….hope it works out for all of us.
I think to be fair he’s a fairly decent career. Still only 28, played almost 400 games at top level Championship mostly.
Grant left us in bowyers promotion season in the January leaving us with one recognised striker in Taylor, no thanks there’s got to be better somewhere, perhaps kellior dunn coyr