Start the clock
Talking point š£ļø
Whilst I try to live in my Addicks world with a large gulp of reality, the boyhood hopelessly romantic football fan is enjoying seeing our name on top of the table. Yes, it is formative, early, rash even, but someone has to be top.
Yet, Nathan Jones took the words out of my head yesterday when he said the most important thing is that we have 9 points, and that is 9 more than two other clubs.
Points in the bag is what prizes are made of.
And over the next few weeks there are plenty more points to play for.
This a big week because we have two league games, both on the road. They come thick and fast as the week after we have another two, both at home.
A lot, well most of our attention will be taken up by the transfer window which runs until 11pm Tuesday. Feel for the EFL teams that play Tuesday night, what a ridiculous piece of scheduling that is.
I expect it to be busy, very.
A right winger is still top priority. Keep an eye on that Rak-Sakyi, Iām not sure that is completely dead in the water.
Then almost certainly one more. I was thinking a striker, but Godden and Kelman will be back after the international break, possibly Charlie before, so perhaps it is in central midfield where Jones feels we are short.
Chalobah will not play more than half our games, and it looks as if weāll see Mwamba a fair bit, which is wonderful, but every young player goes through a drop. Ouma is an unknown quantity, and then there is Coventry, trusted and currently playing beyond what we have seen previously helped hugely by having a partner that has time on the ball.
JRC, Carey, Knibbs all play in an offensive midfield role.
I think club captain Greg Docherty will move this week and therefore Jones may well think thatās where a hole in the squad needs filling.
As we stand we have a squad of 30 not including 21 and under (Asiimwe, Fullah, Mwamba, Mbick).
Kanu will move on loan, add Docherty then that is still three more. Sichenje I reckon will not be listed as a squad player, so two more.
Apter will drop to third choice right winger, and Knibbs is at the moment favoured behind Carey, Grant and Rankin-Costello as a 10.
JRC is more adaptable, has played a lot at this level and although thereās a good argument to the contrary, I think Jones trusts him in some game situations.
Therefore Knibbs and Apter to be moved on to round the squad to 25 plus youngsters, It will be interesting to see if Asiimwe stays. He was excellent at Tottenham and physically looks a different player.
Two days to go, start the clock ā±ļø.
Last two days of the window, and we still have to recruit in certain areas. I think Binden is a good signing, having a decent pedigree behind him. I’m hoping the Rak-Sakyi story is still simmering, as there seems to be a lack of interest from elsewhere in him, which I find very strange.
Anyway I will be stuck to the TV for the next two days with fingers crossed for at least a couple of experienced incomings.
I think you may find that Asiimwe was 21 years old before 1st January 2026, so would count in the 25.
You are right, Clive. Apologies. Born on 29th December, he is older than the cut-off by two days!
Those two days have the power to affect his career trajectory!
Have to disagree with your assesment on aslimwe . I was at the tottenham game where the lad played left wingback.He played on the wrong side as he normally plays on the right and all the goals came down the left ..Looked like a player who has played on loan at league 2 level. Glad you enjoyed your flying lesson ca.
Hard to disagree. Knibbs is the interesting one, just what did/does Jones see in the player who isnāt mobile enough for his position. Did he normally play as an impact sub as that is the only thing he seems ok for, beyond that he makes very little impact and certainly not much if played for 90. I would be pleased if he naffed off frankly. Carey is the other puzzle, what has happened to him, he tailed off massively last season having been our best player and a match winner. I hope he can be turned around. Rak Saki I feel perhaps irrationally could be the difference between survival/mid table and a play off position, and as you say a more commanding central midfielder. Itās one of the frustrations that keeps it āinterestingā for us Charlton fans that we quite often have ānearlyā squads just missing one or two vital players, but maybe thatās just being a football fan, itās character building eh..