What To Do With Youngsters?

We are in a brief interregnum at the moment, with the mini-window closed (it will reopen tomorrow and run until 1 September) and ahead of the announcement on 26 June of the 2025/26 Championship fixtures (at least on a provisional basis, before Sky takes its toll), and the first confirmed pre-season friendly, at Dartford on 12 July. So far we’ve had the welcome news of Boss Jones’ new contract and apparent resolution of the CEO issue, with Dane Murphy selected, plus the arrival of one new signing, midfielder Sonny Carey, and the unfortunate departure of Thierry Small. I’m going to miss him. Like Cory Blackett-Taylor before him, it was all far from perfect; but players who really set the pulses racing when they receive the ball are few and far between. So be it.

For sure the focus through to end-July is going to be on new signings (perhaps also what we do with Taylor and Ahadme and whether bids come in for others). But there’s another (related) issue which forms part of the equation – what to do with young players on the fringe of the squad, perhaps even regulars in the squad but not the first XI. It’s possible that Jones and his team will end up going with the ‘8-8-8’ approach and retain most if not all of them. But there is I’d suggest some consideration to be given to what’s best for the club over the medium term. Basically will our interests be best served by keeping youngsters on hand, to do a job as and when required but not getting much actual game-time, or by sending them out on loan with a view to them getting valuable match experience and development, to return to us as better players (or, for some, regrettably not making the grade)?

Here I’d be thinking about Asiimwe, Mitchell(Z), Laqeretabua, Enslin, Anderson, Rylah, Dixon, Leaburn, Kanu, Casey and Mbick, quite possibly others. It might seem strange to include Anderson and Leaburn in this mix, since the former was a regular squad member/often used substitute and the latter is assumed to be available again after another long-term injury. But the principle applies. Anderson has the potential to be an outstanding midfielder, but isn’t there yet; so will he progress better by being a bit-part player for us next season or by playing regularly and coming back stronger, aka Parker with his Norwich loan spell? Leaburn we hope will come back all guns blazing and show just what a player he can become; but – flashes of genius aside - was struggling to lead the line in a classic centre-forward role being asked of him.

Much as I’d love us to storm the division and be competing at the top, it isn’t being pessimistic to say that our primary, overwhelming objective for next season is not getting relegated. Going back down would rip the heart out of the club again. So if I’m Jones and looking to create the squad for next season, I’d be looking at the list above and asking myself which of these players do I expect to be key components. If some of them are considered ready for the Championship, fantastic. If they are not, and if we are looking to strengthen in their positions, the question surely becomes more what is best for their development (and our interests beyond the coming season).

Who Stays As Important As Who Comes In

Has everyone landed yet? After Wembley and last weekend in Marseille (for a Springsteen concert as well as the pastis; did love the headline in the local paper on Sunday morning post-Champions League final: ‘PSG – forever the second’) the squad list confirmation and speculation about Cardiff and Jones provided the cue for starting to think about the coming campaign, most obviously in terms of how we might shape up and what areas we need to prioritise when it comes to strengthening.

My starting point for this is a reminder that we secured promotion, deservedly, by the skin of our pants in terms of squad depth. The defence, including those in front of it, was excellent for sure. Going forward was another matter. Jones and players sometimes commented about us not having been fluent in games and I don’t think that’s accidental, or entirely due to the opposition. So before looking at where to strengthen we have to assess what we have – and what we might lose. On that front I am assuming that Cardiff will not get their man.

We found success in the second half of the season via a system which attack-wise relied almost entirely on Campbell, Godden, Small and Berry. We did switch sometimes during games to a front two, to accommodate the now departed Chuks (and our best wishes go to him, as well as Watson and Hendry, and the loanees), but fact is we had no replacements for these four, so when one or more of them were missing we struggled going forward. The system we adopted worked well because Campbell naturally went wide left, pulling defenders out of position, while Small provided the threat down the other flank, Godden scored the goals, and Berry was a key component because of his ability to get into/around the box to exploit opportunities.

When Campbell or Small were unavailable the threat was confined to one side, which enabled the opposition to crowd out that space. Anderson had to fill in for Campbell once and, through no fault of his own, was a fish out of water. Watson was the alternative for Small but could never offer the same threat. Equally Gilbert came in for Berry but isn’t like-for-like, a more natural play-maker in the final third but not attuned to making himself akin to a second striker in support of Godden, a la Martin Peters (now that shows my age).

So to my mind, before Jones can assess whether or not we play in a similar fashion next season we have to know whether Small will stay with us and whether there is a risk of Campbell being poached. If both stay, given our strengths in other areas it’s reasonable to assume a similar system. If either/both were to leave, it’s an open book, dependent on who comes in. Can we find another Small? Always possible, but unearthing someone with similar searing pace to terrify the opposition, and the courage to use it (of course the end-product needs to improve), is a tall order. Equally Campbell is something of a one-off as a second striker who acts almost as a winger is usually found in a front three (think Blackett-Taylor or Rak-Sakyi).

Fact is, without Leaburn, with Kanu struggling to make an impact, Ahadme simply not in the picture, Mbick still raw, and Aneke unable to start games, we weren’t able to change the system even if we wanted to. And we got by thanks to Godden not getting injured and the others being mostly available most of the time. That won’t be possible next season, so either we strengthen in the key areas to have like-for-like replacements available or we assume a different Plan A.

So, let’s go through the departments.

Goalkeeper. Mannion had a good second half of the season, ended the issue of whether or not he or Maynard-Brewer was first choice. With Bouzanis departing the assumption is we will sign another keeper even if the two stay (and Maynard-Brewer could decide to move on if he finds himself lined up to be third choice, perhaps Mannion might feel the same if he faces a season on the bench). Only makes sense to expect that the signing will either be someone intended to start, or a veteran back-up.

Defence. Nobody will complain if we start next season with the same first-choice back three/five. The central combination did change through the season as Mitchell was the lynchpin early on only to be usurped by Jones. The return from injury of Ramsay and the improvement of Gillesphey created a formidable, cohesive barrier. Mitchell was overtaken in the pecking order for a while by McIntyre but the latter has gone and assumed not to be coming back. Obviously we need to strengthen in terms of back-ups. Mitchell(A) looks as though he struggles without a run in the side, I don’t know if Mitchell(Z) is considered ready to do a job in the Championship. So assuming the central three at least stay with us, I’d imagine we need to sign at least one viable replacement option. If Small and Edwards both stay, we need alternatives for both. Perhaps Asiimwe will be ready to be back-up as the right-side wing-back.

Midfield. Greater uncertainty here as we do need to add quality and depth. We have Docherty, Coventry, Berry, Anderson, and Taylor. It isn’t enough if we are looking at covering three starting spots and a place or two on the bench. Just who comes in I’ve no idea.

Forwards. Here it is really an open book. In an ideal world you’d say Kanu and Mbick, possibly Dixon too, would benefit from going out on loan to get game-time. We all hope Leaburn returns and stays fit, but can’t assume that. And what we do with Ahadme is anyone’s guess. You’d love to say just wipe the slate clean, forget last season, start again, let’s see what you’ve really got. I just don’t know if that’s an option. So decisions on what contribution we can reasonably expect from Leaburn and Ahadme, assume Godden and Campbell are both available, and get in at least another one, possibly two if some go on loan.

Signing either Kelman from QPR or Kone from Wycombe would be tremendous, but I’ve no idea if either will be available and at what price. We didn’t strengthen in this area in the January window and really that came close to costing us promotion, if Godden had been injured or Campbell missed more than one or two games. We won’t get away with it next season, even if Jones wants to keep the squad to a manageable size. Forward signings are almost inevitably the most expensive and high-profile, surely some decent money will be spent.

So while we all shoot off on our hols – and I hope all Addicks get to rest up for a while - there’s plenty of work for Jones and Chapple to be getting on with, leaving aside the notion that the list of targets was the same irrespective of the division. Hopefully we pick up some more dosh if Gomez moves on from Liverpool, but at least the owners will have been aware when they got involved that staying in the Championship would require additional investment. I hope they’ve been heartened by the turnout for Wembley, by the sight of a full Valley towards the end, and by season ticket sales (no idea if they are going well or not), for soon it will be the time for writing cheques (even if the amounts will forever be undisclosed).   

... And What A Day!

No, the dust hasn’t settled yet, the heart and the mind will still be at Wembley for a while to come. But the body is back in France, after another wonderful, triumphant weekend. Everyone will have their stories and in a nutshell this is mine – come on, there’s surely no point in a match report, although I think we would all join in wishing Leyton Orient well for next season. Their fans were splendid, their manager gracious in defeat. And I think he summed it all up by saying Charlton were ready for promotion, Orient perhaps not. My thought before the game was that they would love to go up, we need to go up. That sense of destiny for me hung over the game, only reinforced by Gillesphey’s free-kick.

The day began with a dilemma. Should I make the early dash from Welling to get to The Green Man to join up with other International Addicks, or meet up with fellow Addicks congregating at Waterloo for breakfast and an early glass or two? In the event the alarm clock made the decision for me (basically got up too late) and it would be the latter. The trains into town were already full of Addicks and by the time breakfast was concluded so were the tubes.

By the time we emerged at Wembley the plan of walking to The Green Man had gone out of the window and the queue for the Fan Zone was just too long. So we opted for going into the ground fairly early, around 12.00, where it was possible to sit and enjoy a glass (OK, it was a plastic tumbler full to the brim with red wine). Good chance to gather one’s thoughts and catch up with others, compare notes on expectations, and to take seats with the time to take it all in, even if we missed out on the atmosphere of the other venues.

After the game and having drained every last drop possible of the celebrations, we were trying to decide on where to get a glass when we walked by an Ibis hotel. I asked guys on the door if the bar was open – and that afforded us the opportunity for another pause for breath while drinking more truly challenging red wine. A couple later and it was train, tube, train and then we piled into Panas in Blackheath Village for a quick ruby. Well, it was intended to be a quick ruby but the staff had other ideas. The food when it came was exquisite – but it came far too late, we had waited ages and lost valuable time (apparently because it was a ‘long order’). The rating went back up a notch when we were offered a free brandy each to compensate for the delay, only for it to fall back again when said ‘brandy’ proved to be brandy-flavoured water.

We did make it into The Crown with enough time for a few more glasses, although we had again missed the chance to meet and greet others. Then with still very satisfied grins we went our separate ways, me back to Welling (and so pleased I managed to avoid falling asleep), the next day back to Lyon.

So not all went perfectly – off the pitch. On it, the only thing that prevented perfection was the absence of a second to enable us to truly enjoy a few minutes before a final whistle, which would have been a welcome change.

Massive congratulations to Jones and the team/squad, rounded off by his excellent post-match comments. Anticipation of next season, who will stay and who will go/get brought in is all for the future. Perhaps when the fixture list comes out in a few weeks. For now we can just remember, reflect, swap photos/videos – and each time we do conclude with WE BLOODY DID IT!!!!!!

Oh, What A Night

Oh what a night!! And no, I can't get that song out of my head this morning. I will never be able to say I way there (just as I was in Hong Kong for the second leg against Ipswich and in Lyon for the one against Doncaster). But like before I’ll be at Wembley, flights booked. Just watching the scenes at The Valley on the CATV stream was enough to make the spine tingle, especially with a large glass of celebratory cognac in hand.

Let’s tip a hat to Wycombe. They never wilted, their supporters made noise, but for two outstanding blocks by Ramsay might well have won the game; and in defeat their manager was gracious. They played their part in making the context a two-part classic as one of the worst exhibitions of football you might want to watch – and that is meant as a complement, not an insult. They took the lesson from the 0-4 and adapted, ensured there would be no repeat of that. That we kept them out over the two legs was down to superb, disciplined defending (aside from the early shot at their place I can’t remember Mannion having to make an actual save) as a team, while they protected ther goal very well too, managing in particular to snuff out the threat from Campbell.

The game last night consequently came down to very fine margins in a few key moments. Aside from a low cross from Godden which Campbell couldn’t reach our one real chance of the first half saw Jones miscue a header from close range when he seemed set to score (and probably should have done). In the second Small’s effort having cut in from the right went inches wide – and Godden came about as close to getting a decisive contact on the effort to divert it into the net. At the other end, as the game opened up Ramsay’s blocks will live long in our memories (and will haunt them for years), but you also have to add an exceptionally well-timed shove by Gillesphey on Kone as he was about to pull the trigger. If instead of shooting into the side-netting Kone had gone down under the challenge I don’t think the ref would have had any alternative but to give a penalty (and perhaps a red card).

Then we come to the goal. Jones did superbly to get his leg to the ball and keep the threat alive. But watching in real time I thought there’s no way he can get to the second ball before their keeper. That he did was down to fatal hesitation on the keeper’s part. If he’d reacted immediately and dashed out to claim the ball he surely would have got there first. Instead Jones nicked it and Godden did what he does so well – be in the right place at just the right time.

The game wasn’t about who deserved to win, the balance of play etc. It was all about whether one side or the other could get the ball into the net, by whatever means. We did. Cue glorious celebrations.

Jones deserves all the plaudits that will come his way, especially if we overcome Leyton Orient at Wembley. He hasn’t fashioned a pretty team but a very effective one - and if I’ll allow myself a pat on the back its for arguing late last year that Jones had to find a way to accommodate Small (clearly he did) and had to start with Godden (incredible as it seems now he was for much of the first half of the season not first choice). Most important, for me, is that he’s instilled in the players just what is needed to win at this level – and they’ve bought into it, with success breeding success. Whatever happens at Wembley, we have good reason to look forward to next season.

As for Wembley, the bookies have already made us (slightly) odds-on favourites. That’s fair enough to any neutral, given the results this season and the final standings. We know how difficult it’s going to be, we haven’t forgotten we were 1-0 down at their place until two headers right at the death, even though I’d guess most Addicks are like me in being pleased that we will face Orient and not Stockport. Orient are there on merit, just as we are. It’s going to be a great day. Bring it on.

All Set Up For Thursday

We’d gone through ad infinitum the pros and cons of facing Wycombe for a Wembley final, what would be needed, what was and was not relevant from the previous games (there’s always a very nagging feeling when everything went so well last time you just think ‘do the same again’ while the opposition must be thinking ‘nothing worked last time, we need to change something’). Basically we just wanted a rerun of the 0-4 win and not surprisingly that didn’t happen. But what we got was in many respects positive, in some respects a magnificent display of resolve and resolution.

It was an ugly game, combative but nervy, marked by poor refereeing and very few chances. They edged the first half, even though Kone could easily have been given a red card for his double challenge on Ramsay (and how he avoided a second yellow during the game is a mystery, not least for leading with his elbow in an arial challenge). They had a shot or two, some dangerous moments, while we struggled to create anything. But through the second half we steadily gained the ascendency, nullifying their threat, and ended by far the stronger side, with their keeper having to pull off two late saves to keep it goalless. It may not have been the result we secretly hoped for, but it’s an outcome that we probably would have taken before the game – and the way in which we overcame them, despite a homer ref, must give us optimism for the second leg. Jones has to be the happier of the two bosses.

We all also knew the team if everyone was available, the only question being whether they all were. Mannion, Jones and Berry did indeed return, while Small was back but only among the subs. Whether that was tactical on the part of Jones the Boss or the thought that he might not be ready yet for 90 minutes would be a point to clear up later. So it would be 3-5-2 with Ramsay, Jones and Gillesphey in central defence, Watson and Edwards the wing-backs, Coventry and Docherty the midfield anchors and Berry the more forward midfield option, and Godden and Campbell up front. Maynard-Brewer was the back-up keeper, Small and Mitchell (getting the nod again over McIntyre) the defensive options (although Small can be considered more an attacking one), Anderson and Gilbert for midfield, and Mbick and Hylton the reserve forwards, with Kanu (and of course Ahadme) missing out.

In the first half, without Small the onus was on Campbell to be the out ball and main attacking threat, but he was well marshalled, generally crowded out before being able to get set, often fouled with nothing given. The ball was in the air most of the time, but Wycombe had the greater cohesion and threat going forward, requiring some very good defending to keep them at bay. They had I’d say two real chances. The first was in the fifth minute when a ball found a guy in space outside the box and he hit a wicked shot, fortunately close enough to Mannion for him to get enough behind the ball to keep it out. The second came on 14 minutes from a free kick on the left side. The ball was sent in to the far post and really two Wycombe players got in each other’s way, with one heading over from a good position.

The incident of note came on 35 minutes when Ramsey was seeing a ball out and Kone came sliding in. His first contact with studs showing caught Ramsey around the ankle, his follow through saw his studs hit higher up the leg. It was a poor challenge, one he acknowledged; only he can say what was going through his mind. Would VAR have resulted in a red card? I’d say probably. A little bit of handbags at the end of the half saw the usual yellow for each time, Docherty for us. Here too a replay would probably have seen more cards for them as some of their players got involved when there was no need.

The stats at the break showed possession almost even with Wycombe having four attempts on goal, two on target, against one and none for us. But we’d kept them out.

Not much changed during the second half except that we just seemed to get stronger, they probably tired and became frustrated. We still weren’t creating anything in the final third, but that changed late on following the introduction of Small and Anderson, for Watson and Berry, on 71 minutes. They were clearly wilting and my impression was that if anyone was going to nick a winner it would be us. The two chances came late on as first Godden was denied by their keeper, who went on to produce a more instinctive save from Docherty from close range.

You’d say on balance over the full game a draw was a reasonable outcome. But if the game had gone on for another 10 minutes there was only going to be one winner. We ended up having seven attempts on goal, three on target, against seven and two for them (ie none on target in the second half).

We have to wait to see if anyone picked up a bad enough knock to rule them out of the return at The Valley. We will have Aneke back available and presumably he will be in the squad (Jones’ lack of forward options from the bench having been a notable constraint), while Jones will have to decide whether at home Small is the better wing-back option (for all his qualities Watson cannot provide the same threat going forward). It’s going to be some night, bring it on.

Plans Being Laid As Best I Can

So there we have it, Wycombe twice then Wembley. The weekend kind of went as planned, although there was a smack of Heath Robinson about it for me. Months ago, when the play-offs (never mind top two) were but a distant dream, my nieces planned a surprise birthday party for my sister and my partner Suzanne and I said we’d be there. How was I to know they would choose the final Saturday of the regular season?

There was no way I was going to risk not being there if we were going to be promoted automatically, so before the Wrexham game I bought a ticket for Burton. Thought perhaps I might just ‘nip out for some fresh air’ and hope nobody noticed my absence for a few hours. The pressure eased, for an obvious reason, so in the event I was able to party with the rest of the family for a while then head off to The Valley to get in for the final 20 minutes of the game, before post-match drinks and a ruby with fellow Addicks (having been given a pass for good behaviour, or something, by Suzanne). I didn’t get to see a goal, but that’s no problem, more are coming at Wembley.

The game itself was notable only for the fact that we secured the win and with it (and the Wycombe v Stockport result) fourth place, the blooding of youngsters (including the debut for Fullah), the resting of those who needed it, and Godden’s two superb goals, which meant he ended the regular season as the league’s joint-third top scorer and a minutes-per-goal stat (140) bettered only by Barry. Jones was for sure a worthy winner of the Player of the Year award (my vote went to Coventry), but Godden would also have been (with Campbell, Edwards and Gillesphey getting mentions in dispatches).

The rest of the season really should be straightforward – but seems it isn’t, yet. I watched the two Doncaster games in a bar in Old Lyon (before the trip to Wembley) and assumed I’d be able to do the same this time around. Apparently not. It seems no broadcaster in France is showing the game and CATV isn’t allowed. So much for my plans. I’m still investigating ways and means and more than fingers are crossed.

Then there’s the question of Wembley, if it happens of course. It’s tempting fate to book a London trip for the weekend, but each day you wait the price goes up. Sure, when push comes to shove I will pay the cost whatever (and may end up like last time sleeping at Heathrow for an early flight back to Lyon), but perhaps there is the possibility to book flights with the option of rescheduling if the unthinkable happens. If I do that it is sending the message (to whoever may be listening) that I don’t believe it’s guaranteed we will get there – but it’s guaranteed that if we do get there I will be there too. (One small aside, I’m never ITK but seems one of the other International Addicks post-Burton chatted with Thierry Small on the train home and was told that he, Lloyd Jones and Luke Berry would all be fit for the first leg against Wycombe.)

A Game Too Far, But Still All To Play For

For the second consecutive match for us it was a case of win or bust (albeit bust meaning the play-offs, an option we would have been overjoyed with until recently). With the results of most of the other games having gone in our favour - with Wycombe losing and at the bottom Burton, our last game opponents, grabbing a last-gasp winner to leave them all but safe - we knew that a win would lift us to third – back above Stockport, who had come from behind to win – and leave it all to play for on the final day. At the same time Wrexham knew that a win and they would be promoted, end of story.

It proved to be a game too far for us. We needed to be at our best for this one and, with injuries and suspensions, we were not. At the same time Wrexham saw their chance and grabbed it with both hands. We wanted to be party-poopers but on the day ended up as ideal cannon-fodder and the game was effectively lost in the first 20 minutes. From two down we might have got back in it by nicking a goal, but the chances were very few and Wrexham were content to close out the game, able to start their party early with a late third.

The team/squad seemed likely to be down to whether anyone hadn’t sufficiently recovered from the Wycombe game, or any fresh knocks, and who would replace Aneke on the bench. It turned out that both Small and Berry would miss out with ‘minor injuries’, replaced by Watson and Anderson respectively, while Ahadme was apparently also unavailable, ruling out any thoughts of him proving to be an end-of-season hero, as well as Maynard-Brewer. Kanu did return on the bench as had been suggested, joined by Mbick and Hylton, with Mitchell and McIntyre drafted in to take the final slots. So you’d have to say that every senior player was either in the squad or unavailable.

Wrexham came out of the traps fast and caused our defence problems from the start. It was really no surprise that they took the lead on 14 minutes. A long ball forward caught out our back line, with Ramsay playing their guy onside, allowing him to get in behind. It took a desperate prod of the ball from behind by Gillesphey to stop him from scoring. The resulting corner was played short, then square, and their guy set up to shoot from range wasn’t closed down fast enough. He had the time to set himself and delivered a fierce shot which went through a ruck of players and past the probably unsighted Mannion.

It got worse on 17 minutes as Dobson progressed down their left, played it square, and their guy chipped in a ball over the heads of our back line for Smith to run on to. He adeptly diverted the ball dropping over his shoulder to leave Mannion stranded.

After that, Wrexham did ease up and the game became more even, although they looked like they were playing within themselves and intent now on keeping things tight at the back. Campbell was smothered whenever he got near the ball, his frustration evident in a first-half yellow for a late tackle. We did have a couple of chances to get back into it. First, from a Campbell cross Godden prodded the ball goalwards but their defender blocked the effort, then on the half-our was the real opportunity as a long ball down the right from Ramsay played in Watson, but on his effort with his left foot lacked conviction and was saved.

The half-time stats showed that we had edged possession 51-49% and had six attempts on goal, two on target, against only three for them – the difference being that their two on target went in. But those figures were misleading. They were well in control of the game.

The second half started off in the same vein, with a scramble or two in their box not producing a goal. My text to fellow Addicks at that point was ‘need to go ape shit crazy, put Mbick on as a wildcard factor and go for it, nothing to lose’. And he was introduced on 52 minutes, replacing the clearly struggling Jones, who it turns out had not been able to train all week after the Wycombe game. On 62 minutes it was Kanu for Anderson, with Godden dropping deeper, then on 72 minutes Gilbert for a limping Watson.

Any thoughts of a storming finish went out of the window on 80 minutes with Dobson again involved. A good cross from the right saw Smith attack the ball and get there first, rifling a header into the net from close range. And the game was summed up with the final chance in stoppage time as the ball dropped for Godden in the area but a Wrexham defender threw his body in the way of the shot. The consolation would have at least added another to his tally for the season.

So, we know it’s the play-offs, but we could finish fourth or fifth - third is mathematically possible but would require a very big win on the final day and Wycombe and Stockport drawing their final game. If Wycombe win that one, we will play Stockport – and vice versa. If we beat Burton we would have the assumed advantage of playing the second leg at home, whether against Wycombe or Stockport. So there is still something riding on the Burton game, just not the glory we had in our sights.

That said, the priority is ensuring that as many as possible are fully fit for the play-offs, with Aneke back available for the second leg of the semi-final. We can’t begrudge Wrexham their celebrations, the ridiculously over-the-top media focus on them notwithstanding. As Jones the Boss remarked, they have coped with that attention very well through the season. Good luck to them (even if I have a Wrexham friend who swears blind he didn’t want them to go up).

As our games and options become clearer, so do my plans. I bought a ticket for the Burton game on the off chance (it’s complicated, all will be revealed another day). After that, it appears that the semi-final games will not be available via CAFC TV for us International Addicks, so I will make my way to Lyon from Givry and station myself there to get to a bar in Old Lyon to watch them. Hopefully the morning after I’ll be booking another trip to London for a Wembley date.

All still to play for. COYA.