Thursday, March 05, 2009
Should They Stay or Should They Go
Ultimately, it’s been a pretty disastrous season so far, but as we enter the home stretch, and hopes of not being relegated recede quickly, minds must turn to next year. This will be a Tier Three season; a season where we play the likes of Oldham and not Burnley, Huddersfield and not Sheffield United, Brentford and not Watford, Colchester and not Ipswich.
We need a squad that will compete, win, and hopefully get Charlton back into winning ways.
This is Pedro45’s assessment of who should be in (and out of) that squad of players, bearing in mind the finances of the club, the contract situation of various players, and the needs of maintaining a winning team. It’s all opinion and supposition of course, but I’m happy for Phil Parkinson and Richard Murray to act on my views; you may, of course, hold contrary opinion:
Rob Elliott
Elliott was in the right place at the right time in April last year, when Nicky Weaver got sent off at Plymouth. For quite some time considered the lesser of the two young goalkeepers on the clubs books, he was lucky that Darren Randolph was on loan at that time, and he was the nominated bench man. Elliott had a good 87 minutes on the pitch that day, but when Weaver’s suspension kicked in, Randolph had been recalled from his loan and took over the first team duties for that one match. Even this season, Elliott resumed bench duties while Randolph was sent out to get valuable experience in the lower leagues, showing who was preferred, but again, Weaver’s antics (picking up a hip injury at Blackpool due to a "heavy" fall) promoted Elliott to the first team. Rob took his chance and played well, but when Randolph was available, he was played in the two cup games against Norwich in preference. Back came Elliott though, and despite some criticism, he has won the battle and is now the undisputed number one choice at the club. Next year, the situation is clear; unless the manager feels that a new, experienced, keeper is required, then Elliott will be named number one, with Randolph his deputy. As a Charlton fan himself, Elliott is a definite stayer.
Darren Randolph
As you will have seen from above, much of Randolph’s situation is pre-empted by Rob Elliott, and his form. I would suspect that after his abortive spell at Hereford earlier this year, Darren will opt to stay in SE7 and a place in support of Elliott, rather than another loan spell somewhere. Randolph is a more than adequate reserve keeper, and will not be on too high a salary which is what is required. Another stayer.
Nicky Weaver
It’s bye-bye Nicky I’m afraid. Weaves has probably played his last game for the Addicks, and that indication was given by Richard Murray at the January AGM. Weaver is on a big salary (too big for a third tier club to finance) and I therefore predict that the one-year extension option on his contract will not be taken up, and Nicky will leave on a free transfer. He’ll probably end up back up North, at a Championship club, or as a reserve for a new Premiership team. This will signal the end of Nicky’s Hate-Love-Hate relationship with Charlton fans. Wave goodbye to Weaves…
Danny Butterfield
On loan until the end of the season, I doubt that he is thought of as a player who could be at The Valley permanently next season? Although the club will need to sign a right back, I do think that other, better, but possibly cheaper options may be available come the summer. Ta Ra Danny.
Yassin Moutaouakil
Poor old (or young) Moots: He is so exciting going forward, and so very average in defence. While Alan Pardew may have suffered Moots mistakes at the back, Phil Parkinson will not. The volume of right backs being brought into the club on loan indicate quite clearly that the Frenchman is persona non grata, and he will either be sold for a nominal fee (probably to a French second division side?) or given a free transfer. It is a shame because he was so good at charging down the right wing, and he did link very well with Lloyd Sam early in the season. For me, his awful game at Scunthorpe last season – where he gifted the only goal of the game which was then compounded by his own glaring miss when well placed to score – showed that he is a bit of a luxury; I could bear him in home games, but at away venues, I did consider him a bit of a liability. So it’s Au Revoir Yassin…
Graeme Murty
Murty is 34 years old, and though still performing to a high standard when fit, his days as the Reading right back are clearly limited. It would not surprise me therefore if he was offered a choice of remaining as a squad player at the Madjeski, or leaving for first team football. If Murts decides to move on for regular football, he could do no better than to join ex-team-mate Phil Parkinson at The Valley, where his undoubted experience, will-to-win, and personality would make him an excellent choice (in much the same way Terry Naylor was when he joined Charlton in the third tier). Gone, but will hopefully come back.
Mark Hudson
I suppose the only thing that would make skipper Hudson leave is a wish for higher-grade football, or the club trying to trim his salary off the overall wage bill. Just a year into his contract, if the club want him to stay then he will have little choice. He would certainly be good enough in tier three, and should he stay, then skippering the side to league glory could beckon (please…). Otherwise, there is little prospect of him going to a Premiership side after this year in the Championship, and other tier two teams may baulk at his salary. The other factor of course is that the club have few recognised centre backs, with none due to come through from the youth team for a couple of years (hopefully Mambo will maintain his improvement year-on-year) and to let another one go would be rather unwise. Almost certain to stay at the club as skipper in Pedro45’s opinion.
Darren Ward
Hudson’s partner for the final three months of the season (barring injury), and an ex-team-mate to boot. They do have a pretty good understanding, but the likelihood of Wolves selling him cheaply (which is what Charlton would need) is remote. If Wolves go up, he would probably be surplus to their requirements in the Premiership, and if no other club wanted to buy him, then he would probably spend next season as he did most of this, out on loan with whoever would have him. If there was a chance that Charlton could buy him, I for one would be happy to see him sign, but Pedro45 thinks that is not going to happen.
Jonathan Fortune
Forch has been the backbone of the club for quite a few years now, and is by far the longest serving player. The problem with him, both recently and in most of his stop-start career, is that he comes into the team, plays well, then gets injured, then comes back, has a few bad games, gets dropped, then has to start the rigmarole all over again. Possibly on a very good salary, due to his longevity at the club, I am unsure if he will be asked to stay or go. I therefore think that the ultimate decision rests with the fact that we are short of centre backs, and he will be needed, especially as he should be amply good enough for tier three. If he does wish to move on, after all his career hasn't really been helped much at The Valley (even in the same way it was when he was on loan at Stoke), then we should wish him well, and hope he gets better luck at his next club.
Kelly Youga
The incumbent left back signed a new contract
just over a year ago, so in all probability, he will still be at Charlton next season. When happy, Kelly is a joy to watch, as he powers forward, linking with his winger, but all too often he seems to get into a strop with either his form, team-mates, or the referee, and that affects his play. A happy Kelly is a good player, who covers his central defence, passes to feet, and offers himself as a passing option; an unhappy Kelly hides, lumps the ball forwards (or upwards) at every opportunity, and sulks on his own. Ensconced as the first choice left back currently, Parky does have other squad options with Grant Basey, and new professional Jack Clark, but Pedro45 thinks that Kelly will be back come August and hopefully with a smile on his face.
Grant Basey
The young Welshman has had a funny season, being picked over or covering for Youga on occasion, but also being pushed forward into midfield, wide on the left, or in front of the defence. That holding role was one that didn’t seem to suit the player, as he often failed to clear his lines and wanted too much time. He also doesn’t seem to be that good a tackler, or maybe just not subtle enough to foul where required (as all good holding midfielders must do…). He does have undoubted potential, and has a sweet left foot, but the issue with him is finding his best position, and utilising that to best effect. If he is to be reserve left-back (to Youga), then that’s fine; if he is to be a squad player fitting in where required as he has this season, then that isn’t so good, as it has not helped him or the team too much this year. The only other option is to ask him to play wide left, as he did to great effect in the last game of last season against Coventry, where he scored his only goal, but that in itself takes something away from the attacking options the manager has. I don’t see him leaving the club, yet, but if he isn’t getting game time and still improving, then next season may be his last at the club.
Jack Clark
I can’t add much to anything written about Clark as I have never seen him play. Suffice to say that if he has been given a contract, he could progress, and the likelihood is that he will be first choice left back for the reserves next season. If that works out, then maybe he will push for the first team in a year or two?
Aswad Thomas
Poor Aswad went out on loan to a Conference team, and it turned out that they weren’t very good, languishing bottom of the league. Now back at The Valley, and without a first team start in the last couple of years (he only made the bench in League Cup games…), the chances of him succeeding at Charlton are now remote, and I expect him to be released at the end of the season. His chance came when the club needed left backs last year, following injuries to Basey, Chris Powell, and with Youga out on loan; but Pardew chose to recall Youga, and Thomas slipped out of the reckoning again. Will probably join a local Conference side.
Dean Sinclair
Mr Out-On-Loan is back at the club, after a long standing hamstring injury will not heal. He has played for so many teams in the last two years since we signed him (Cheltenham, Brighton, Grimsby, etc) in the lower leagues that he has found his true level (tier four!); I very much doubt Charlton will want him on the payroll next year so expect him to leave on a free transfer this summer.
Jose Semedo
He came from Portugal, and we love him. Purported to be a centre half, he has played most of his games in central midfield, and in Parky’s first game as manager, he did strike up what looked like an excellent partnership with Therry Racon. Sadly, injuries have prevented them playing together again since, and the club and squad has moved on since then. Whether they get a chance to rekindle that pairing next year is a possibility, but Pedro45 thinks that Jose will be asked to be the Steve Gritt of the squad next year, and play in a variety of positions as required by injury and suspensions. That is presuming of course that Jose wants to stay? If not, he will probably return to the continent, and never be heard of again – not good enough in top tier football as a centre back, nor skilful enough in midfield.
Zheng Zhi
What can you say – China’s captain, and we were lucky enough to be able to watch him play for us for about a year and a half. Sadly, this season has been all about injuries as far as ZiZi is concerned, and the fact is if he had been fit, then we probably would not have been relegated. I suppose it all started to go wrong when he got a back injury late last season, probably due to continual playing as he hadn’t had a summer break for quite some time. Then he played in the Olympics, but got sent off, and then it was a case of resting before coming back to ply his trade at The Valley. Just one and a half games later, he hurt his foot, and that was pretty much that until it was too late. We did think he would be sold last August, but his Olympic injury scuppered that, and then his foot complaint prevented anyone buying him in January too. West Brom were rumoured to want him on both occasions, but if they go down to the Championship, they may not feel that his £20k plus wages are worthwhile. He will definitely not be seen at The Valley playing for Charlton next season, so we have to wish him well and thank him for the goals and skill and kudos he brought to the club (it’s just a shame we didn’t make more money out of him!).
Josh Wright
Jade Goody’s mate is a young player who did break into the first team this year, but unlike what his dad thinks, I don’t think he is anywhere near good enough for the first eleven yet. Although we all felt sympathy for him at the time, his performances showed that he was quite simply out-muscled too easily to be anything other than a luxury at Championship level. Hopefully, another year older, and stronger, and playing in tier three will be the making of him (in much the same way it was for Kevin Smith). His playing time next year will depend a lot on who stays at the club, but provided his dad doesn’t mind he being employed by such a lowly team, I expect him to remain at Charlton and be a prominent squad player next year. By the way, I do think that the supposed links with Newcastle and Villa that came to the fore recently are quite preposterous…
Jonjo Shelvey
We all breathed a sigh of relief when Jonjo signed a professional contract with the Addicks on his
17th birthday, and now he has committed himself to the club, the manager has the chance to build the team around him for the remainder of this season, and next. That is, if he isn’t sold in the summer. I do think that if Jonjo wants to stay at Charlton, and all the arguments for him to stay are shown to be valid, then it would be a bit silly to then try to sell him come summer time. Cashing in his value to the club is the only possible reason for placing him for sale, and that may still be required to balance the books, but hopefully salary cuts elsewhere will allow him to stay and develop for at least one more year before Charlton can sell him at his highest potential value and to the highest bidder. If he stays, Jonjo must be the cornerstone of the side; he must be asked to play in central midfield, rather than as a withdrawn forward, as that impacts on the overall make-up of the side too much. At tier three level, he should be good enough next year (and possibly way too good!), so with him as the driving force, we could expect a reasonable season.
Nicky Bailey
Charlton’s top scorer, and the first midfielder to win that accolade for some fifteen years (not even
Lee Bowyer managed it…); without Bailey’s goals, this season would have been even more of a disaster (if that is possible!). From his fantastic volley against Wolves, to his shimmy round the keeper against Plymouth, Nicky has scored regularly all season. He did have one really bad patch, gifting a goal to Sheffield Wednesday, and his head did drop around that time. Since Pardew left though, he has picked up his form and even when playing out on the left side of midfield, he is still a threat as recent goals against Swansea and Doncaster have shown. Another Charlton player that West Brom are said to be interested in, Charlton have the option of cashing in on Bailey if they wish (and hopefully making a sizeable profit on the £750,000 they paid Southend) or keeping him under contract for another year. I’d like to see Bailey stay but I do feel that he may be one of the casualties of dropping down a league, and he will move to a good Championship team, or possibly the lower reaches of the Premiership? If he does, we have to wish him well, though he will probably come back to haunt us at some future stage I suspect!
Matt Holland
Captain Clean-Shorts; Mr Reliable; Matt; Dutch; Matty, or anything else. Matt Holland has been great for the Addicks
over recent seasons, urging the team on, and recognising the crowd at the end of every game (even when slightly embarrassed by how they have played!). Still probably one of the highest paid players at the club, Matt is coming to the end of his career, and his one-year contract is about to end. I’m pretty sure that this contract was reduced from the previous one, and if the club do the sensible thing and offer him another year, then that too will probably be at vastly reduced terms. Whether Holland signs is up to him (and his horse-loving wife); he would love to return to Ipswich but I doubt that they would offer much better terms than the Addicks, and his first-team chances there would be (even more) limited. I suppose that Matty would be hoping for a coaching role somewhere in future, and if things do not work out with Phil Parkinson, then Matt’s chance in that role could come at Charlton if he stays? Having a captain like him in the squad undoubtedly helps younger players (and with Shelvey and Wright around, we need the experience), and I’m sure his work-rate would be acceptable in the lower division. I would offer him the option of another playing contract, and see what Matt wants to do; he doesn’t need the money, but would want playing time I feel, and that could be possible. If he decides to move on or hang up his boots, then we should thank him for playing for us (and his wife for letting him!) when he had other options on better terms (Villa).
Matt Spring
While he is another who will be remembered forever for a single goal on a Tuesday night in January (above), Spring is a player who has yet to fulfil his potential at The Valley. He came to the club on an 18-month contract, so the option is for him to stay in tier three and help us to a good season, or for him to be sold to another Championship club who need a midfielder to do a job. I’m still not sure about him, as he has been fairly anonymous in some recent games, although you can see his effort and work-rate. I think if a suitable offer comes in then Charlton should take it, as other midfielders are more important to the team and in some cases, cheaper options are required. If he stays though, his experience could prove quite valuable in a lower league, and he could be a good player to have.
Tom Soares
He came, he Soares, but he really didn’t conquer. Tom will return to Stoke at the end of his loan period, and the chances of Charlton signing him are nil. He has done well in flashes, but has failed to show any Premiership potential really in his time in SE7. If you close off the pass to him, he struggles, and he doesn’t link well with full backs either. He has filled a necessary gap for Parkinson, but without setting the world alight. He will be forgotten quite quickly, due to his incongruous past.
Rashid Yussuff
Scott Wagstaff
The only reason I can see Waggy staying is if the club lose Lloyd Sam and need a winger. The problem though is that Wagstaff probably isn’t good enough, even at tier three. Loaned out to Bournemouth earlier this season, he failed to make much impression in tier four, and has not gone on in the way it was obviously hoped when he captained the youth team last year and earnt his pro contract. I suspect he will be allowed to leave quietly, and will end up with a local Conference team like Aswad Thomas.
Therry Racon
This Frenchman has starred since getting his chance, and all thoughts about him leaving the club (as he wanted to when on loan and getting games at Brighton lastyear) have vanished. I can see him being the central midfield partner to Shelvey next year, and that pairing could be way too good for that league. That is presuming that no other club makes a stupid offer for him that is acceptable to the board? Therry should be nurtured because he has great skill, can shoot with both feet, can pass, and has a good engine too! Provided his dodgy knee stands up, I expect him to be one of our stars next year.
Darren Ambrose
Come in number 17, your time is up. And so is your contract, and it won’t be renewed. Ambrose has great potential, but far too often simply fails to deliver what we know he is capable of. Previously, poor form was blamed on a long standing and hard to diagnose pelvic problem; well this year, that problem has gone away, and he has once more not lived up to the billing. A loan spell at Ipswich showed that he was well below the player that left Portman Road some years previously, and at the end of this season, I expect him to slip out of Sparrows Lane never to return, with the club saving quite a lot of money from his salary. No doubt some Championship or even Premiership club will sign him on his past expectations, but that won’t last and he will be a reserve again soon I predict. His only saving grace was that he was Darren Bent’s best mate – now there’s two careers that went in opposite directions!
Svetislav Todorov
Sadly Toddy has slipped down the pecking order to such an extent that even when the club has no scoring strikers, he still cannot get a game. The knee injury he picked up last year sounded the end of his proper career at The Valley, and though he was given another year’s contract, more injuries and lack of fitness have prevented him being risked but Parky. He will not be offered another deal I am sure, and this is another player who will fall off the wage bill saving the club a good deal of money. I would expect him to either retire or return to Bulgaria to play out his final days.
Chris Dickson
If Jonjo Shelvey is the cog around which the Addicks must build next year, then Dicko is the sharp end who needs to score the goals each week. Still an uncut diamond, we should probably expect a few poor games like the recent one against Doncaster. But Chris has good skill, pace, can
jump, and not a bad footballing brain when he cares to use it. He also has confidence, and is a good influence in the dressing room. If all of that can be harnessed, and players fitted in around him (including alongside!), then he could be the goal-scoring mega-star we hope for in tier three. I guess that next season will be make or break as a pro footballer for Dicko; he has to learn that the game is not all about glory – you have to put in the effort too! If he does, we will be fine; if not, Chris will disappear back to the lower leagues, another Tony Burman, Paul Gorman, or Leroy Ambrose. 
Tresor Kandol
A bit of a stop-start Charlton career so far for Tresor; a decent few games without setting the world alight, and then disappearing home to sort out unknown family issues at a time when the club really needed him. I guess he will be back, otherwise his loan would be cancelled, and we do need his physical presence in the remaining games this season. If he comes back and does well, I suppose there is a chance that he could be signed to spearhead the strike force next year alongside Dicko, but the jury is still out as far as I’m concerned, so we’ll have to wait a while. 
Andy Gray
It’s just problem after problem with Andy; he is a good player, and I was quite hopeful when he signed last January, but although he led the line quite well early this season, his personal problems and injuries have prevented any sort of consistency from him. He was an expensive signing, and is on a decent wage, so I expect him to be sacrificed and fall to the budget cuts by going to another Championship club. He has been playing at this level, and in the Premiership, for most of his career so it is unlikely he will want to fall into League One, and a transfer by mutual consent will ensure both parties are happy, provided he can maintain his high salary. If he is just after the money, then I suggest that Charlton invoke the relegation clauses that they promised to include in all future contracts and reduce his wages accordingly.
Stuart Fleetwood
Yet to make an appearance for the Addicks, Fleetwood has had a season on loan so is well versed in what is required in lower leagues. He had a decent spell at Brighton, without setting them alight, but did score and make a few goals. I suspect that he will be kept on as a reserve striker at Charlton and expect to see him feature from them bench on a consistent basis when required.
Deon Burton
This is another ageing player who will have a contract next season. Burton has played OK since joining prior to Xmas, but has still yet to score from open play. He did come close a few times in his early games (an overhead kick comes to mind…) but recently has been left out in favour of others more likely to get their name in lights. He can hold the ball well, does always battle, and tries to feed his team-mates, but the simple fact is he may not be mobile enough for tier three, and if he doesn’t score goals, then he is a liberty.
So that’s Pedro45’s view on the squad for next year:
Players staying are – Elliott, Randolph, Hudson, Fortune, Youga, Basey, Clark, Semedo, Yussuff, Stavrineau, Wright, Shelvey, Spring, Sam, Racon, Dickson, Burton, Fleetwood,
Players leaving are – Weaver, Moutaouakil, Butterfield, Ward, Thomas, Arter, Zhi, Sinclair, Soares, Wagstaff, Ambrose, Todorov, Kandol, Gray.
Undecided are – Murty, Bailey, Holland, McLeod.
Players needed are – a right back, a young central defender, a winger.
That keeps the squad at a manageable 22-25 players, and allow others to be brought in when injuries etc necessitate. That should be sufficient for a decent campaign – I’ll keep my thoughts on who should be the manager until another day…
We need a squad that will compete, win, and hopefully get Charlton back into winning ways.
This is Pedro45’s assessment of who should be in (and out of) that squad of players, bearing in mind the finances of the club, the contract situation of various players, and the needs of maintaining a winning team. It’s all opinion and supposition of course, but I’m happy for Phil Parkinson and Richard Murray to act on my views; you may, of course, hold contrary opinion:
Rob ElliottElliott was in the right place at the right time in April last year, when Nicky Weaver got sent off at Plymouth. For quite some time considered the lesser of the two young goalkeepers on the clubs books, he was lucky that Darren Randolph was on loan at that time, and he was the nominated bench man. Elliott had a good 87 minutes on the pitch that day, but when Weaver’s suspension kicked in, Randolph had been recalled from his loan and took over the first team duties for that one match. Even this season, Elliott resumed bench duties while Randolph was sent out to get valuable experience in the lower leagues, showing who was preferred, but again, Weaver’s antics (picking up a hip injury at Blackpool due to a "heavy" fall) promoted Elliott to the first team. Rob took his chance and played well, but when Randolph was available, he was played in the two cup games against Norwich in preference. Back came Elliott though, and despite some criticism, he has won the battle and is now the undisputed number one choice at the club. Next year, the situation is clear; unless the manager feels that a new, experienced, keeper is required, then Elliott will be named number one, with Randolph his deputy. As a Charlton fan himself, Elliott is a definite stayer.
Darren RandolphAs you will have seen from above, much of Randolph’s situation is pre-empted by Rob Elliott, and his form. I would suspect that after his abortive spell at Hereford earlier this year, Darren will opt to stay in SE7 and a place in support of Elliott, rather than another loan spell somewhere. Randolph is a more than adequate reserve keeper, and will not be on too high a salary which is what is required. Another stayer.
Nicky WeaverIt’s bye-bye Nicky I’m afraid. Weaves has probably played his last game for the Addicks, and that indication was given by Richard Murray at the January AGM. Weaver is on a big salary (too big for a third tier club to finance) and I therefore predict that the one-year extension option on his contract will not be taken up, and Nicky will leave on a free transfer. He’ll probably end up back up North, at a Championship club, or as a reserve for a new Premiership team. This will signal the end of Nicky’s Hate-Love-Hate relationship with Charlton fans. Wave goodbye to Weaves…
Danny Butterfield
On loan until the end of the season, I doubt that he is thought of as a player who could be at The Valley permanently next season? Although the club will need to sign a right back, I do think that other, better, but possibly cheaper options may be available come the summer. Ta Ra Danny.
Yassin MoutaouakilPoor old (or young) Moots: He is so exciting going forward, and so very average in defence. While Alan Pardew may have suffered Moots mistakes at the back, Phil Parkinson will not. The volume of right backs being brought into the club on loan indicate quite clearly that the Frenchman is persona non grata, and he will either be sold for a nominal fee (probably to a French second division side?) or given a free transfer. It is a shame because he was so good at charging down the right wing, and he did link very well with Lloyd Sam early in the season. For me, his awful game at Scunthorpe last season – where he gifted the only goal of the game which was then compounded by his own glaring miss when well placed to score – showed that he is a bit of a luxury; I could bear him in home games, but at away venues, I did consider him a bit of a liability. So it’s Au Revoir Yassin…
Graeme MurtyMurty is 34 years old, and though still performing to a high standard when fit, his days as the Reading right back are clearly limited. It would not surprise me therefore if he was offered a choice of remaining as a squad player at the Madjeski, or leaving for first team football. If Murts decides to move on for regular football, he could do no better than to join ex-team-mate Phil Parkinson at The Valley, where his undoubted experience, will-to-win, and personality would make him an excellent choice (in much the same way Terry Naylor was when he joined Charlton in the third tier). Gone, but will hopefully come back.
Mark HudsonI suppose the only thing that would make skipper Hudson leave is a wish for higher-grade football, or the club trying to trim his salary off the overall wage bill. Just a year into his contract, if the club want him to stay then he will have little choice. He would certainly be good enough in tier three, and should he stay, then skippering the side to league glory could beckon (please…). Otherwise, there is little prospect of him going to a Premiership side after this year in the Championship, and other tier two teams may baulk at his salary. The other factor of course is that the club have few recognised centre backs, with none due to come through from the youth team for a couple of years (hopefully Mambo will maintain his improvement year-on-year) and to let another one go would be rather unwise. Almost certain to stay at the club as skipper in Pedro45’s opinion.
Darren WardHudson’s partner for the final three months of the season (barring injury), and an ex-team-mate to boot. They do have a pretty good understanding, but the likelihood of Wolves selling him cheaply (which is what Charlton would need) is remote. If Wolves go up, he would probably be surplus to their requirements in the Premiership, and if no other club wanted to buy him, then he would probably spend next season as he did most of this, out on loan with whoever would have him. If there was a chance that Charlton could buy him, I for one would be happy to see him sign, but Pedro45 thinks that is not going to happen.
Jonathan FortuneForch has been the backbone of the club for quite a few years now, and is by far the longest serving player. The problem with him, both recently and in most of his stop-start career, is that he comes into the team, plays well, then gets injured, then comes back, has a few bad games, gets dropped, then has to start the rigmarole all over again. Possibly on a very good salary, due to his longevity at the club, I am unsure if he will be asked to stay or go. I therefore think that the ultimate decision rests with the fact that we are short of centre backs, and he will be needed, especially as he should be amply good enough for tier three. If he does wish to move on, after all his career hasn't really been helped much at The Valley (even in the same way it was when he was on loan at Stoke), then we should wish him well, and hope he gets better luck at his next club.
Kelly Youga
The incumbent left back signed a new contract
just over a year ago, so in all probability, he will still be at Charlton next season. When happy, Kelly is a joy to watch, as he powers forward, linking with his winger, but all too often he seems to get into a strop with either his form, team-mates, or the referee, and that affects his play. A happy Kelly is a good player, who covers his central defence, passes to feet, and offers himself as a passing option; an unhappy Kelly hides, lumps the ball forwards (or upwards) at every opportunity, and sulks on his own. Ensconced as the first choice left back currently, Parky does have other squad options with Grant Basey, and new professional Jack Clark, but Pedro45 thinks that Kelly will be back come August and hopefully with a smile on his face.
Grant BaseyThe young Welshman has had a funny season, being picked over or covering for Youga on occasion, but also being pushed forward into midfield, wide on the left, or in front of the defence. That holding role was one that didn’t seem to suit the player, as he often failed to clear his lines and wanted too much time. He also doesn’t seem to be that good a tackler, or maybe just not subtle enough to foul where required (as all good holding midfielders must do…). He does have undoubted potential, and has a sweet left foot, but the issue with him is finding his best position, and utilising that to best effect. If he is to be reserve left-back (to Youga), then that’s fine; if he is to be a squad player fitting in where required as he has this season, then that isn’t so good, as it has not helped him or the team too much this year. The only other option is to ask him to play wide left, as he did to great effect in the last game of last season against Coventry, where he scored his only goal, but that in itself takes something away from the attacking options the manager has. I don’t see him leaving the club, yet, but if he isn’t getting game time and still improving, then next season may be his last at the club.
Jack Clark
I can’t add much to anything written about Clark as I have never seen him play. Suffice to say that if he has been given a contract, he could progress, and the likelihood is that he will be first choice left back for the reserves next season. If that works out, then maybe he will push for the first team in a year or two?
Aswad Thomas
Poor Aswad went out on loan to a Conference team, and it turned out that they weren’t very good, languishing bottom of the league. Now back at The Valley, and without a first team start in the last couple of years (he only made the bench in League Cup games…), the chances of him succeeding at Charlton are now remote, and I expect him to be released at the end of the season. His chance came when the club needed left backs last year, following injuries to Basey, Chris Powell, and with Youga out on loan; but Pardew chose to recall Youga, and Thomas slipped out of the reckoning again. Will probably join a local Conference side.
Dean SinclairMr Out-On-Loan is back at the club, after a long standing hamstring injury will not heal. He has played for so many teams in the last two years since we signed him (Cheltenham, Brighton, Grimsby, etc) in the lower leagues that he has found his true level (tier four!); I very much doubt Charlton will want him on the payroll next year so expect him to leave on a free transfer this summer.
Jose Semedo
He came from Portugal, and we love him. Purported to be a centre half, he has played most of his games in central midfield, and in Parky’s first game as manager, he did strike up what looked like an excellent partnership with Therry Racon. Sadly, injuries have prevented them playing together again since, and the club and squad has moved on since then. Whether they get a chance to rekindle that pairing next year is a possibility, but Pedro45 thinks that Jose will be asked to be the Steve Gritt of the squad next year, and play in a variety of positions as required by injury and suspensions. That is presuming of course that Jose wants to stay? If not, he will probably return to the continent, and never be heard of again – not good enough in top tier football as a centre back, nor skilful enough in midfield.
Zheng ZhiWhat can you say – China’s captain, and we were lucky enough to be able to watch him play for us for about a year and a half. Sadly, this season has been all about injuries as far as ZiZi is concerned, and the fact is if he had been fit, then we probably would not have been relegated. I suppose it all started to go wrong when he got a back injury late last season, probably due to continual playing as he hadn’t had a summer break for quite some time. Then he played in the Olympics, but got sent off, and then it was a case of resting before coming back to ply his trade at The Valley. Just one and a half games later, he hurt his foot, and that was pretty much that until it was too late. We did think he would be sold last August, but his Olympic injury scuppered that, and then his foot complaint prevented anyone buying him in January too. West Brom were rumoured to want him on both occasions, but if they go down to the Championship, they may not feel that his £20k plus wages are worthwhile. He will definitely not be seen at The Valley playing for Charlton next season, so we have to wish him well and thank him for the goals and skill and kudos he brought to the club (it’s just a shame we didn’t make more money out of him!).
Josh WrightJade Goody’s mate is a young player who did break into the first team this year, but unlike what his dad thinks, I don’t think he is anywhere near good enough for the first eleven yet. Although we all felt sympathy for him at the time, his performances showed that he was quite simply out-muscled too easily to be anything other than a luxury at Championship level. Hopefully, another year older, and stronger, and playing in tier three will be the making of him (in much the same way it was for Kevin Smith). His playing time next year will depend a lot on who stays at the club, but provided his dad doesn’t mind he being employed by such a lowly team, I expect him to remain at Charlton and be a prominent squad player next year. By the way, I do think that the supposed links with Newcastle and Villa that came to the fore recently are quite preposterous…
Jonjo Shelvey
We all breathed a sigh of relief when Jonjo signed a professional contract with the Addicks on his
17th birthday, and now he has committed himself to the club, the manager has the chance to build the team around him for the remainder of this season, and next. That is, if he isn’t sold in the summer. I do think that if Jonjo wants to stay at Charlton, and all the arguments for him to stay are shown to be valid, then it would be a bit silly to then try to sell him come summer time. Cashing in his value to the club is the only possible reason for placing him for sale, and that may still be required to balance the books, but hopefully salary cuts elsewhere will allow him to stay and develop for at least one more year before Charlton can sell him at his highest potential value and to the highest bidder. If he stays, Jonjo must be the cornerstone of the side; he must be asked to play in central midfield, rather than as a withdrawn forward, as that impacts on the overall make-up of the side too much. At tier three level, he should be good enough next year (and possibly way too good!), so with him as the driving force, we could expect a reasonable season.Harry Arter
Sadly, Scott Parker’s nephew has not developed as his Uncle did, and following his bad Achilles injury last season, we have probably seen the best of him already. Loaned out to a Conference side, and now offered to Ipswich, Gillingham and others on trial, indicates that Arter will not be offered a new contract come season end. This is a shame, but the right decision. Can you imagine a midfield of Arter, Josh Wright and Jonjo Shelvey playing at their best all together? That could have taken the club upwards…
Nicky Bailey
Charlton’s top scorer, and the first midfielder to win that accolade for some fifteen years (not even
Lee Bowyer managed it…); without Bailey’s goals, this season would have been even more of a disaster (if that is possible!). From his fantastic volley against Wolves, to his shimmy round the keeper against Plymouth, Nicky has scored regularly all season. He did have one really bad patch, gifting a goal to Sheffield Wednesday, and his head did drop around that time. Since Pardew left though, he has picked up his form and even when playing out on the left side of midfield, he is still a threat as recent goals against Swansea and Doncaster have shown. Another Charlton player that West Brom are said to be interested in, Charlton have the option of cashing in on Bailey if they wish (and hopefully making a sizeable profit on the £750,000 they paid Southend) or keeping him under contract for another year. I’d like to see Bailey stay but I do feel that he may be one of the casualties of dropping down a league, and he will move to a good Championship team, or possibly the lower reaches of the Premiership? If he does, we have to wish him well, though he will probably come back to haunt us at some future stage I suspect!Matt Holland
Captain Clean-Shorts; Mr Reliable; Matt; Dutch; Matty, or anything else. Matt Holland has been great for the Addicks
over recent seasons, urging the team on, and recognising the crowd at the end of every game (even when slightly embarrassed by how they have played!). Still probably one of the highest paid players at the club, Matt is coming to the end of his career, and his one-year contract is about to end. I’m pretty sure that this contract was reduced from the previous one, and if the club do the sensible thing and offer him another year, then that too will probably be at vastly reduced terms. Whether Holland signs is up to him (and his horse-loving wife); he would love to return to Ipswich but I doubt that they would offer much better terms than the Addicks, and his first-team chances there would be (even more) limited. I suppose that Matty would be hoping for a coaching role somewhere in future, and if things do not work out with Phil Parkinson, then Matt’s chance in that role could come at Charlton if he stays? Having a captain like him in the squad undoubtedly helps younger players (and with Shelvey and Wright around, we need the experience), and I’m sure his work-rate would be acceptable in the lower division. I would offer him the option of another playing contract, and see what Matt wants to do; he doesn’t need the money, but would want playing time I feel, and that could be possible. If he decides to move on or hang up his boots, then we should thank him for playing for us (and his wife for letting him!) when he had other options on better terms (Villa).
Matt SpringWhile he is another who will be remembered forever for a single goal on a Tuesday night in January (above), Spring is a player who has yet to fulfil his potential at The Valley. He came to the club on an 18-month contract, so the option is for him to stay in tier three and help us to a good season, or for him to be sold to another Championship club who need a midfielder to do a job. I’m still not sure about him, as he has been fairly anonymous in some recent games, although you can see his effort and work-rate. I think if a suitable offer comes in then Charlton should take it, as other midfielders are more important to the team and in some cases, cheaper options are required. If he stays though, his experience could prove quite valuable in a lower league, and he could be a good player to have.
Tom SoaresHe came, he Soares, but he really didn’t conquer. Tom will return to Stoke at the end of his loan period, and the chances of Charlton signing him are nil. He has done well in flashes, but has failed to show any Premiership potential really in his time in SE7. If you close off the pass to him, he struggles, and he doesn’t link well with full backs either. He has filled a necessary gap for Parkinson, but without setting the world alight. He will be forgotten quite quickly, due to his incongruous past.
Rashid Yussuff
I’ve not seen Toks play, but as a future holding midfielder, he looks like the sort of player we could need on occasion next year, especially as some current midfielders will be moved on and he will creep up the pecking order for a tier three side. Should stay…
Alex Stavrineau
As with Clark, you have to trust the management team who have given him a contract. Possibly a similar holding midfield player to Yussuff, he is another for the future, and a chance at little cost to uncover some talent. Depending on injuries, suspensions, and form, he could come into the reckoning next year, but is more likely a couple of years away from the first team.
Lloyd Sam
Pick me! Pick me! Lloyd does get picked at the start of most seasons, but it is tough to actually know what level Lloyd is really comfortable at. He has failed to score this season, and his overall record suggests he just doesn’t score enough, whatever level he has played at. Sure, he has been unlucky, hitting the woodwork a few times, and he has set up quite a few goals (including all four against Reading last August), but sometimes he just flatters to deceive. The likelihood is that he will stay at The Valley, as we are shorn of wingers, unless the manager goes down the Alf Ramsey route (as we are at present!). He could be a stand-out player in tier three, as he has great skill and can cross the ball accurately when given time, but he must add goals to his game if he wants to be any sort of star at Charlton, and also learn to do his defensive duties with aplomb. I’d keep him, and as I cannot see any potential transfer activity for him, this is likely.
Lloyd SamPick me! Pick me! Lloyd does get picked at the start of most seasons, but it is tough to actually know what level Lloyd is really comfortable at. He has failed to score this season, and his overall record suggests he just doesn’t score enough, whatever level he has played at. Sure, he has been unlucky, hitting the woodwork a few times, and he has set up quite a few goals (including all four against Reading last August), but sometimes he just flatters to deceive. The likelihood is that he will stay at The Valley, as we are shorn of wingers, unless the manager goes down the Alf Ramsey route (as we are at present!). He could be a stand-out player in tier three, as he has great skill and can cross the ball accurately when given time, but he must add goals to his game if he wants to be any sort of star at Charlton, and also learn to do his defensive duties with aplomb. I’d keep him, and as I cannot see any potential transfer activity for him, this is likely.
Scott Wagstaff
The only reason I can see Waggy staying is if the club lose Lloyd Sam and need a winger. The problem though is that Wagstaff probably isn’t good enough, even at tier three. Loaned out to Bournemouth earlier this season, he failed to make much impression in tier four, and has not gone on in the way it was obviously hoped when he captained the youth team last year and earnt his pro contract. I suspect he will be allowed to leave quietly, and will end up with a local Conference team like Aswad Thomas.
Therry RaconThis Frenchman has starred since getting his chance, and all thoughts about him leaving the club (as he wanted to when on loan and getting games at Brighton lastyear) have vanished. I can see him being the central midfield partner to Shelvey next year, and that pairing could be way too good for that league. That is presuming that no other club makes a stupid offer for him that is acceptable to the board? Therry should be nurtured because he has great skill, can shoot with both feet, can pass, and has a good engine too! Provided his dodgy knee stands up, I expect him to be one of our stars next year.
Darren Ambrose
Come in number 17, your time is up. And so is your contract, and it won’t be renewed. Ambrose has great potential, but far too often simply fails to deliver what we know he is capable of. Previously, poor form was blamed on a long standing and hard to diagnose pelvic problem; well this year, that problem has gone away, and he has once more not lived up to the billing. A loan spell at Ipswich showed that he was well below the player that left Portman Road some years previously, and at the end of this season, I expect him to slip out of Sparrows Lane never to return, with the club saving quite a lot of money from his salary. No doubt some Championship or even Premiership club will sign him on his past expectations, but that won’t last and he will be a reserve again soon I predict. His only saving grace was that he was Darren Bent’s best mate – now there’s two careers that went in opposite directions!
Svetislav TodorovSadly Toddy has slipped down the pecking order to such an extent that even when the club has no scoring strikers, he still cannot get a game. The knee injury he picked up last year sounded the end of his proper career at The Valley, and though he was given another year’s contract, more injuries and lack of fitness have prevented him being risked but Parky. He will not be offered another deal I am sure, and this is another player who will fall off the wage bill saving the club a good deal of money. I would expect him to either retire or return to Bulgaria to play out his final days.
Chris Dickson
If Jonjo Shelvey is the cog around which the Addicks must build next year, then Dicko is the sharp end who needs to score the goals each week. Still an uncut diamond, we should probably expect a few poor games like the recent one against Doncaster. But Chris has good skill, pace, can
jump, and not a bad footballing brain when he cares to use it. He also has confidence, and is a good influence in the dressing room. If all of that can be harnessed, and players fitted in around him (including alongside!), then he could be the goal-scoring mega-star we hope for in tier three. I guess that next season will be make or break as a pro footballer for Dicko; he has to learn that the game is not all about glory – you have to put in the effort too! If he does, we will be fine; if not, Chris will disappear back to the lower leagues, another Tony Burman, Paul Gorman, or Leroy Ambrose.
Tresor KandolA bit of a stop-start Charlton career so far for Tresor; a decent few games without setting the world alight, and then disappearing home to sort out unknown family issues at a time when the club really needed him. I guess he will be back, otherwise his loan would be cancelled, and we do need his physical presence in the remaining games this season. If he comes back and does well, I suppose there is a chance that he could be signed to spearhead the strike force next year alongside Dicko, but the jury is still out as far as I’m concerned, so we’ll have to wait a while.
Izale McLeod
What is going on with Izzy? In and out of the team, winning penalties for fun but unable to score (even from a spot kick he won!) before finally being paired as one of a strong speedy strike duo; that partnership was prematurely ditched by Pardew (when he signed Andy Gray) and so Izzy was shunted out on loan. Whack to his knee means he’s back on crutches for six months, and then before he’s even played a reserve game, wham, he’s leading the first team in search of goals. Now that was a move designed to fail, and not one of Pardew’s best ploys, and it did, spectacularly, with Izzy being dragged off at half-
time. Strangely, when he was next picked (by Parky) it was much the same – off the pace, always offside, no skill, and no hold-up play – a complete failure which again saw him pulled at the break. With no chance of being in Parky’s good books, he was loaned out to Millwall, hit the woodwork and scored a couple, but then threw his bottle out of the pram when Millwall signed a very similar layer (Pericard) due to McLeod being late for training a few times. It sounds like Izzy is a bit of a Johnny Big Balls, and thinks he is much better than he actually is. He does have pace when fit, and can be used as an impact player from the bench to good effect (as initially in his Charlton career), but his shooting has been erratic, and his head does drop too easily. The likelihood is that he will either be sold in an effort to recoup some of the large fee paid for him, or he will be loaned out again in an effort to keep him off the payroll. There is a chance that he could be paired with Dickson, and could build a good partnership with him if he is prepared to do lots of running and doesn’t mind Dicko grabbing the goal-scoring glory; I guess pre-season will tell us if that is likely?
What is going on with Izzy? In and out of the team, winning penalties for fun but unable to score (even from a spot kick he won!) before finally being paired as one of a strong speedy strike duo; that partnership was prematurely ditched by Pardew (when he signed Andy Gray) and so Izzy was shunted out on loan. Whack to his knee means he’s back on crutches for six months, and then before he’s even played a reserve game, wham, he’s leading the first team in search of goals. Now that was a move designed to fail, and not one of Pardew’s best ploys, and it did, spectacularly, with Izzy being dragged off at half-
time. Strangely, when he was next picked (by Parky) it was much the same – off the pace, always offside, no skill, and no hold-up play – a complete failure which again saw him pulled at the break. With no chance of being in Parky’s good books, he was loaned out to Millwall, hit the woodwork and scored a couple, but then threw his bottle out of the pram when Millwall signed a very similar layer (Pericard) due to McLeod being late for training a few times. It sounds like Izzy is a bit of a Johnny Big Balls, and thinks he is much better than he actually is. He does have pace when fit, and can be used as an impact player from the bench to good effect (as initially in his Charlton career), but his shooting has been erratic, and his head does drop too easily. The likelihood is that he will either be sold in an effort to recoup some of the large fee paid for him, or he will be loaned out again in an effort to keep him off the payroll. There is a chance that he could be paired with Dickson, and could build a good partnership with him if he is prepared to do lots of running and doesn’t mind Dicko grabbing the goal-scoring glory; I guess pre-season will tell us if that is likely?
Andy GrayIt’s just problem after problem with Andy; he is a good player, and I was quite hopeful when he signed last January, but although he led the line quite well early this season, his personal problems and injuries have prevented any sort of consistency from him. He was an expensive signing, and is on a decent wage, so I expect him to be sacrificed and fall to the budget cuts by going to another Championship club. He has been playing at this level, and in the Premiership, for most of his career so it is unlikely he will want to fall into League One, and a transfer by mutual consent will ensure both parties are happy, provided he can maintain his high salary. If he is just after the money, then I suggest that Charlton invoke the relegation clauses that they promised to include in all future contracts and reduce his wages accordingly.
Stuart FleetwoodYet to make an appearance for the Addicks, Fleetwood has had a season on loan so is well versed in what is required in lower leagues. He had a decent spell at Brighton, without setting them alight, but did score and make a few goals. I suspect that he will be kept on as a reserve striker at Charlton and expect to see him feature from them bench on a consistent basis when required.
Deon BurtonThis is another ageing player who will have a contract next season. Burton has played OK since joining prior to Xmas, but has still yet to score from open play. He did come close a few times in his early games (an overhead kick comes to mind…) but recently has been left out in favour of others more likely to get their name in lights. He can hold the ball well, does always battle, and tries to feed his team-mates, but the simple fact is he may not be mobile enough for tier three, and if he doesn’t score goals, then he is a liberty.
So that’s Pedro45’s view on the squad for next year:
Players staying are – Elliott, Randolph, Hudson, Fortune, Youga, Basey, Clark, Semedo, Yussuff, Stavrineau, Wright, Shelvey, Spring, Sam, Racon, Dickson, Burton, Fleetwood,
Players leaving are – Weaver, Moutaouakil, Butterfield, Ward, Thomas, Arter, Zhi, Sinclair, Soares, Wagstaff, Ambrose, Todorov, Kandol, Gray.
Undecided are – Murty, Bailey, Holland, McLeod.
Players needed are – a right back, a young central defender, a winger.
That keeps the squad at a manageable 22-25 players, and allow others to be brought in when injuries etc necessitate. That should be sufficient for a decent campaign – I’ll keep my thoughts on who should be the manager until another day…
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What a great post - thorough and spot on. If we can keep hold of Hudson, Bailey and Shelvey then we should have decent spine to build the team around. Something tells me we won't see all three of them in a red shirt next season though. Strikers who know where the back of the goal is are desperately required ...
# posted by 
: 5:29 pm
: 5:29 pm
Thanks Pedro - ejoyed reading that. Gives me a bit of thought and hope for the future.
I'd forgotten all about Gray until I read your piece!
Pembury Addick
I'd forgotten all about Gray until I read your piece!
Pembury Addick
# posted by : 8:48 pm
: 8:48 pm
Great writing. I was interested and enjoyed the comparisons to those players of the early eighties (Gritt, smith, Naylor). My first season was 1980 back i9n the third division. My Dad treated me to a half season ticket as a Christmas present.
I have to say, doom and gloom aside, there is something strangley nostalgic about the prospect of third division football. I reckon we should all get our old clothes (or fathers old clothes, or FADS emblazened charlton shirts) out of mothballs, go to the barbers and get wedge haircuts or crew cuts or perms and turn out for the first game next season dressed 1980 style.
All we need now is to sign a player of Don McAllisters hard standing and we'll be away.
I'm actually quite excited by the prospect of a trip to Brentford !
I have to say, doom and gloom aside, there is something strangley nostalgic about the prospect of third division football. I reckon we should all get our old clothes (or fathers old clothes, or FADS emblazened charlton shirts) out of mothballs, go to the barbers and get wedge haircuts or crew cuts or perms and turn out for the first game next season dressed 1980 style.
All we need now is to sign a player of Don McAllisters hard standing and we'll be away.
I'm actually quite excited by the prospect of a trip to Brentford !
# posted by : 9:44 am
: 9:44 am
As far as i'm aware Luke Varney is still a charlton player?Any views on him for next year?
# posted by : 5:05 pm
: 5:05 pm
Anonymous - Varney went to Derby on loan with a view to a permanent deal in January, and although Jewell was sacked, the deal went through as agreed.
I expect next year he will be as useless for Derby as he was for Charlton if I'm honest...and I don't think Nigel is picking him even now.
Pedro45
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I expect next year he will be as useless for Derby as he was for Charlton if I'm honest...and I don't think Nigel is picking him even now.
Pedro45
# posted by : 8:13 pm
: 8:13 pm<< Home
