Thanks So Much Greg

We all kinda knew this one was coming. The numbers didn’t stack up, especially after last night’s two additions. But confirmation that Greg Docherty would leave the club, after the cancellation of his contract by mutual consent, still leaves us with a heavy heart. The words of Nathan Jones and James Rodwell hit the spot. All we can do as fans is add our very heartfelt thanks to Doc for all he has done since signing for us. The stay wasn’t that long, the contribution immense, to say that we are in a better position from when he joined is a massive understatement. I just hope that wherever he ends up truly appreciates what an asset they are getting and that Greg really enjoys the next stage of his career.

Of the others who have left, temporarily or permanently, overall the news is positive. The Kaminski situation and outcome mystifies me, just have to wait for some clarification. But exactly why he and Jones fell out and why a 33-year-old goalkeeper, one on the fringes of the international picture, might choose to go to ply his trade in Cyprus is a puzzle. Perhaps he has personal reasons for the choice. In any event good luck to him, we can afford to be magnanimous as we very much like the cut of his replacement.

Joining him on the ‘out on loan’ front - along with Mitchell(Z), Gough, Laqeretabua, Ewens-Findley, Rylah, Olaofe and (strictly speaking) Ahadme (I think that’s all) - are Asiimwe, Fullah and Kanu. All the young ones at least clearly have a path back and we all hope that comes to pass, that they benefit and progress in the time away. The confirmation that Kanu actually has a year longer on his contract than thought, and the new contract for Fullah, indicate that they will remain very much in the club’s thoughts.

It merely remains to add that we all hope that Skipp, Nkeng and Bindon, along with the other eight new players, have very rewarding Charlton careers, as obviously we as fans would be the beneficiaries as well as the club. How quickly Bindon and Skipp in particular are introduced to the first team, potentially tonight, is of course up to Jones the Boss and how he sees things. There must be some temptation to leave the back four unchanged since Jones the Player and Bindon will no doubt need a little time to get used to each other and the back line was effective against Preston. Without Docherty and with Chalobah at least doubtful, there could be an early introduction for Skipp, depending on his fitness and whether Jones feels that Mwamba is ready to start a game. Either way, tonight’s line-up will have half an eye on Stoke away on Saturday and the demands on each player in turn.

It has been an excellent transfer window, we are materially stronger than we ended last season, despite the setback losing Koumetio and Sichenje at Spurs. Not getting Rak-Sakyi was a disappointment, but there is it, we wait to see how ready Nkeng might be and whether Alli and/or Apter step up and take their opportunity. The lone striker position is still stretched if only Leaburn and Mbick are available, hopefully Godden and Kelman will be back soon, then we will have options again in that position too (and contrary to popular opinion I’m confident that Godden or Kelman can play alone up front, provided the rest of the team – especially the three behind the one up front – react accordingly, looking to pick off a second ball instead of hoping they can win anything in the air or hold up play as well as Leaburn is currently doing).

We’ve made a great start, just now needs cementing with the two tough away fixtures, before two back at The Valley.

Not Often This Good

I don’t think I’ve ever before been in a more relaxed, positive mood going into the final day of a transfer window (please note anyone looking here for some nugget of ITK info will be disappointed). If we get one or two more in, including the obvious name, great; if we have to juggle the books and two or three depart, sad but also perfectly understandable. If we do nothing, as long as the squad numbers add up so be it, now that we have covered for the defensive injury calamity with the addition of Bindon. We have strengthened materially and tied down three of our most valuable assets to long-term contracts (and I also liked that Jones the Boss added that even so if they have the opportunity to move to the Premiership the club will not stand in their way). Oh, and did I forget to mention? We are top of the league.

Having watched the West Ham game from a hospital bed in Chalon, I managed to take in the Preston match in a Paris hotel room (having even found an HDMI lead in a nearby shop to rig up the lap-top with the room’s large TV, lovely jubbly), with my partner Suzanne having booked the weekend away before my recent problem and not quibbling about taking time out to watch the game.

Too late for any kind of match report, just a few observations. Clearly, as at home to Derby, we didn’t click in the first half, the only difference being we didn’t go behind. Our play was, as Jones acknowledged, just too sluggish and unadventurous, making it easy for a Preston back five to contain the threat. Against Derby we were rejuvenated by a Jones the Player header, this time around Jones the Boss didn’t wait and made the change at the break, withdrawing Carey for Alli and switching Grant into the more central role.

Carey. Let’s make some things clear, he has been a fantastic signing and is a key member of the team/squad. We are going to need him through this season and beyond, his driving with the ball and his goals. The only question right now for Jones and his team is whether or not he is our best option to start the game in the central position of the three (clearly he is not suited to either of the wider roles) or used as an impact substitute later on, when the opposition is more tired and gaps start to appear. There will be times we are chasing a game and need a goal. A fresh Carey coming off the bench would be one excellent option (IMO).

As stressed before, the change in our formation requires the central player in the three behind the front man to pick a pass and knit the three together. It’s a different skillset than Carey displayed last season. So either with practise he gets better at doing that, or he is kept in reserve for when during a game we need a different option and fresh legs.

It is not as if there are no alternatives. Grant switched inside on Saturday, Rankin-Costello has been used in the role, while Knibbs, the most obvious choice, seems out of favour. His performance against Spurs (and those of others) should count for nothing, while on the positive side in pre-season he linked up well with Grant in particular, signs of an immediate understanding.

For the three we currently have TC, Grant, Alli, Apter, Carey, Knibbs and Rankin-Costello. That is sufficient to mix and match. But if Rak-Sakyi were to join after all, surely Apter would have to find pastures new as Alli has only just come in. Equally, if Jones feels that Knibbs is fourth-choice for the central spot, behind Carey, Grant and Rankin-Costello, and does not intend to play him, so be it, he must have his reasons, but as things stand it’s a wasted squad position.

Of course we’re not getting over-excited about topping the league with a 100% record after three games. With away games at WBA and Stoke approaching, after five we will have a better idea – and after 10 games you can at least tell who has had a good start and who has not. Still nice though – and a better feeling than last season’s start, when we were cheered by the sight of us being competitive (before injuries took their toll). This time around we are giving the early impression of being capable of more than that.

It is very rare, for us for sure but probably for most clubs, for all to be in alignment: fans content with the ownership, the manager, and the team/squad, creating a virtuous circle. For me the last time was the brief period under the spivs (before they ran out of money and showed their real intentions, sacrificing us to the whims of Duchatelet) with Sir Chris in charge before and after promotion. Before that you have to go back to the Premiership years with Curbs and Murray. Then you have the set-up with the Return to The Valley. Just before that we had Lennie Lawrence and a terrific fighting team, but the ownership counted against perfect union. Long may this continue – although of course it cannot last indefinitely – and enjoy it.

Finally, a belated RIP Mike Bailey and condolences to his family and friends. Like many others I was just a little too young to remember his performances on the pitch, although I must have seen him play. I do remember being huddled around a radio with my father in February 1965 (bloody hell, that’s over 60 years ago) to hear news of our FA Cup fourth round replay at Middlesbrough. I still have the newspaper clipping in my scrapbook: ‘Mike Bailey breaks leg and out go Charlton’. He broke his leg in the 10th minute. He did return and went on to play 169 times for us, scoring 22 goals, before he moved on to Wolves in 1966 for £35k.

Bailey’s time as Charlton manager (1980-81), succeeding Andy Nelson, was marked by promotion back to the Second Division only for his prompt – and for me at least still very curious – replacement by Alan Mullery, who had ironically many years before replace Bailey in the England squad. It was a curious time, at the end of the Glickstein era, and I leave it to others to explain what really happened. Suffice to say, Bailey was a Charlton hero/legend.

Injuries Change The Picture

Jones the Boss described it as a “disaster” and he’s not being over-emotional. Unless the injuries to both Koumeito and Sichenje prove much less serious than initially feared, we went in 10 minutes from awaiting the icing on the cake signing of Rak-Sakyi, still basking in the glory of the win at West Ham, to having six days (including today) to make a lot of changes. And Jones has to put together a side, especially a defence, to keep the Championship momentum going against Preston on Saturday (with a trip to West Brom coming up on Wednesday).

As I understand it, with no inside knowledge, our current injury list now reads as Mannion, Ramsay, Edwards, Koumeito, Sichenje, Burke, Godden and Kelman. Add in the fact that Kaminski, Fullah and Kanu are currently persona non grata and you have 11 first-team squad members unavailable. That is a crisis.

Losing a centre-back in a game is unfortunate, but losing his back-up as well at the same time, and then learning that another of the senior centre-halves is out too, is downright unfair. I can’t remember being as gutted as this about losing a player through injury as I am about Koumeito. I thought he’d slotted in wonderfully well alongside Jones right from the off. The fact that we sold a centre-half, Mitchell(A), and sent another two, Gough and Mitchell(Z), out on loan were understandable moves at the time, but I hope somebody at the club is scanning the loan contracts to see if an immediate recall was included as an option (I assume not).

So, what are we – or rather Jones and his team – looking at as things stand for Saturday? Of course the goalkeeper spot is not an issue. In defence we have available McNamara (and just how good a signing is he proving to be), Jones, Bell, Mesic and Asiimwe. I don’t know enough about Preston’s attacking strengths to factor that in, but I’d assume that unless Ramsay or Edwards are ready to be put into the mix the only question would be whether to keep Mesic as Jones’ central partner, as last night, or move Bell inside and have Mesic as left-back.

As for options for a quick signing, the obvious one to me – and I’ve no idea regarding viability – is to go back to Wrexham and ask if we can have Coady back, immediately. He knows the place, the set-up, and most of the squad, and this time we’d have him play alongside Jones. As and when players may return, he would be an extra option either in defence or midfield. As for Rak-Sakyi, if the rumours are true and Burnley have trumped our offer, unfortunate but accept that and move on quickly; if JRS has the balls to tell his agent 'no, I want to go to Charlton, do the deal', we would all be delighted. 

Just where another senior addition leaves the squad numbers I’m not sure. But we clearly have to get the Kaminski sale done before the window closes, to get loan deals for Fullah and possibly others, and to sort out which from Asiimwe, Burke (clearly now more complicated), Apter, Knibbs, Kanu, possibly others, are moved on. I don’t want to see any of them go. We’ve not seen the best yet of Knibbs or Apter, Kanu and Asiimwe are still developing with potential. But the rules are the rules and something has to give. All we can do is watch and wait.

Thank You

The lot of most football fans (obvious exclusions being Spanners and Palarce supporters, whose lot is too awful to contemplate, and Gooners, who can only ever hope at best to have their expectations fulfilled, never exceeded, leaving them miserable most of the time) is pretty similar. There are ups and downs, even spells where you might start to wonder whether it is all worth the commitment as the disappointments mount and appear permanent. But then there are the good times, moments that you wouldn’t swap for all the proverbial tea in China – at least I wouldn’t.

Every Addick can rattle off our glorious moments and their stories of the incident/game/season. And to the list we can now add away at West Ham in August 2026 (for the record I was at Upton Park in 1986 for Jim Melrose’s goal and the 3-1 win). That might seem an exaggeration to some, but please cut me some slack. I was taken into a French hospital via A&E on Wednesday, had a few very difficult days (all good enough now, let home today but wobbly), but by midday Saturday the tubes had been taken out and I was able with the help of my partner Suzanne to rig up a lap-top to watch the game on CATV. And what we were served up with gave us a reminder why we are Addicks. A performance of heart and resolve, with serious attacking intent thrown in, and a victory to warm the cockles of the heart of every Addick. For that, in the circumstances, all I can say to the players and management, is a very heartfelt thank you.

Let’s get the Hammers’ side of things out of the way first. The Leeds guy with the post-match diatribe got it pretty much spot-on. I commented after the game that West Ham – with the exception of Bowen - had been sloppy, complacent and arrogant and deserved everything they got. Of course its early in the season, they are still gelling, good time to play them etc. And of course on another day we don’t begin the game with an overhead kick goal from a central defender and they don’t finish it with a penalty miss. But they so badly lacked drive and leadership on the pitch, moving the ball sluggishly – even though they had ample evidence that when they did speed things up they not surprisingly threatened. All the heroes on the pitch were in our new away kit.

I found it odd that their manager Nuno Espirito Santo commented that “we got punished from situations we knew Charlton would create problems from”. So, if you knew how, where and why we would cause problems how did you set up your team to head off such problems? Or did you – and/or the players – just not bother? Just assume that there would be too much firepower to outbalance anything we might throw at them. West Ham were punished from a throw-in and a centre-back getting caught in possession. Fact is, through the game West Ham mustered a free header just before half-time, a couple of efforts that Okonkwo saved well, one goal, and a fortuitous penalty at the death (unlike Steve Brown and the rest of the CATV crew I thought the ref had no choice but to give it, however harsh and unfair on the excellent Coventry). Set that against two scored and at least half a dozen situations where we were almost in. Jones the Boss was right, we deserved our luck at the end.

Okonkwu had an excellent debut. Jones the Talisman was top-drawer but so too were his accomplices, Koumetio, McNamara and Bell. It’s not a back four which many of us would have predicted a few weeks ago, but one which has got off to a great start, helped for sure by the astute Chalobah (please can he stay fit!) and Coventry, who is benefiting from not having to focus just on clearing the lines. Assuming Mannion stays (and Kaminski departs), to that six in front of Okonkwu the current back-ups are another six: Ramsay and Edwards, as and when they are available again, Burke, Mesik (who is still recovering from Blackett-Taylor having skinned him), Sichenje and Asiimwe. You assume that if suitable bids come in Burke and Asiimwe will depart (and if they do they go with all best wishes); if they do, we really do need Ramsay and Edwards back available at least for when the injuries and suspensions start.

Coventry and Chalobah are so far nailing down the two defensive midfield spots. The alternatives would seem to be Docherty, Ouma (of whom we so far know very little), Rankin-Costello and Mwamba, with Captain Doc so far not involved. Here too you feel we can mix and match to some extent but struggle with any sustained absence through injury.

The three in front of them – in my view the powerhouse of the team – is not yet settled but looking full of promise. Some people wonder what has happened to galvanise TC, but the answer seems clear: ask him to play in a role which maximises his abilities and don’t ask him to switch from front two, winger (on either side), and wing-back. He can switch sides with Grant but as a matter of choice. Add in Alli and Apter and we have options on either side. The enigma is the central role, currently held by Carey. He’s been a great signing and you hope he will grow into the different role being asked of him compared with last season. I still suspect that as things stand Knibbs could offer more when it comes to knitting together the three. But that’s for Jones to decide, it’s another area where we have good options, especially if you include Rankin-Costello. Those options would of course increase if a certain Rak-Sakyi appears on the scene.

For the one up top, Godden joining Kelman on the unavailable list did hurt us yesterday. Leaburn came in and was outstanding, the best game I can remember him having for us, effective and an unsolved problem for them throughout. But he had to leave the field on 70 minutes and his departure clearly affected our play. Mbick is clearly a great prospect and it’s enormously encouraging to see him back playing the game after his long injury. But it was an enormous ask. If I have one minor criticism of yesterday it was that perhaps Jones could have come up with a different option than asking Mbick to do what Leaburn had been doing for the final 20+ minutes away at West Ham, with Alli and Apter on the bench. I don’t know what the situation is with Kanu. That said, there were so many exhausted players on the pitch at the end that we were going to be under the cosh late on whatever Jones did.

The 4-2-3-1 formation is so far working a treat. Slipping into a back 3/5 late in the game to defend a lead seems reasonably unproblematic, given the players available. The question is how do we switch as and when we need to chase a game? With Dykes having gone somewhere else, we need forwards on the bench not just to replace a tiring one up top but also to be able to switch to say a 4-4-2 with the wingers. Hopefully Godden and Kelman will both be back shortly and at least we have the numbers, even if Kanu remains frozen out.

So, there was a very happy hospital room in Chalon-sur-Saone on Saturday afternoon and the grin hasn’t faded yet. Just how Jones fashions a side to go out and compete against Spurs on Wednesday night I haven’t the faintest idea. In other circumstances it would have been reasonable to anticipate us putting out close to a first-choice squad and Tottenham to pick from their reserves. But with them having been humbled at Brentford and needing match-practise and us with an exhausted group of players and a match at home to Preston on Saturday to prepare for, perhaps the reverse will be the case. Who cares? It’s a bonus.

We Begin With A Win!

So in the end the campaign has begun with a very welcome and just about merited victory. We were a tad unlikely to be behind at the break, but they had converted their one real opening and we had failed to create a clear-cut chance and not tested their keeper. We equalised effectively from a set-piece, which looked unlikely when the two teams lined up at the start, and won it with an eventually very well taken chance on the break. And despite Blackett-Taylor looking the sort of threat we remember well managed to see it out. Happy days.

The team was the same as for the Carabao Cup game against Cheltenham. That meant Mannion retained in goal, with Brooks on the bench (and the continued absence of Kaminski encouraging speculation that he will be leaving), behind a back four of McNamara, Jones (fresh from signing his new two-year contract, to the relief of all of us), Koumetio and Bell (the bench support being just Mesik and Sichenje, with Ramsay still out injured and Burke not selected). The midfield defensive two were Chalobah and Coventry (with Rankin-Costello and Mwamba among the subs), while the more forward three were Campbell, Carey and Grant (potential replacements being Knibbs, Alli and Apter, who got the nod ahead of Docherty on the bench), and Godden would again be up top (Leaburn being the back-up).

The starting XI therefore included four players not with us last season (and two more among the subs). Presumably the game came too soon for Ouma, while as well as Ramsay, Edwards and Kelman were unavailable. In addition to Kaminski and Docherty, Burke, Asiimwe, Fullah and Kanu didn’t make the squad. So the impression from the first real season line-up is that there is still some work likely to be done as regards both incoming and outgoing players before the transfer window closes.

We were the brighter of the two sides in the opening period, with Grant working well on the left side of the three - but Campbell not in the game on the other and Carey struggling to control the game in the central role. But after the first 15 minutes or so, after Carey had been set up by Grant but failed to make a decent connection on the shot, Derby did come much more into it and started to look dangerous. They muffed one good position but converted the second. Jones went out to get to a ball lofted forward and didn’t make it. Suddenly we were in trouble with players caught out and unable to get back. A couple of square passes and their guy was in the clear (he even had another on his outside) and gave Mannion no chance with the finish.

Around the half-hour mark Campbell and Grant switched sides. Suddenly TC was a threat – and Grant in turn became anonymous. Perhaps that was down to the players up against them. Campbell clearly had the beating of his man, for pace and down the outside. He created moments, including a ball inside for Carey only for him to go down. Probably a slip and appeals for a soft penalty went begging. On the other side a loose ball inside their box was hit powerfully by McNamara, who managed to keep it down on the turn, but a Derby defender managed a block for a corner.

The stats at half-time showed we had 52% possession and nine shots (two on target) against five (and two) for them. But we had no real grounds for complaint as we hadn’t fashioned a clear chance while they did.

We continued as before in the second half, with Campbell the main attacking threat. Half-chances and moments came at both ends, with McNamara making an important block and Chalobah just unable to get a decent contact on a cross from the left. We had another – and more credible – appeal for a penalty as Campbell went down under a challenge. But a couple of changes before the hour highlighted the need for change. Leaburn and Alli replaced Godden (who had a thankless afternoon competing for high balls against big centre-backs and clearly blocked when he did get clear) and Carey, with Grant moving to the central spot.

And on the hour the game did change as we drew level. TC was pulled back. The free-kick on the left side by Grant was headed out but as it dropped Chalobah I think saw the chance to nudge the ball back to Grant. His second ball in was a peach and Jones converted it with a dominant header.

Now the game was anyone’s to win. Rankin-Costello replaced Grant on 72 minutes. On 74 minutes Derby broke with a clever backheel, leading to a shot from the edge of the area which Mannion turned around for a corner. By now players for both sides were getting tired, but then on 79 minutes we got that crucial second goal. Coventry picked up the ball in our box and played it out astutely for Rankin-Costello. He in turn played it forward for Leaburn, in behind their centre-backs, who seemed to get their wires crossed. He made it into the box but couldn’t get the shot away. Instead the ball ran for Campbell. He took it to the left side and from a narrow angle placed the shot perfectly into the far corner.

Now Derby had to chase the game. They responded with three subs, including the introduction of Blackett-Taylor, who proceeded to scare the life out of our defence. We reacted with two changes. Mesik and Sichenje came on for Chalobah and McNamara, which meant a switch to a back five and the focus on defending what we had.

We just about managed to do that, despite leaving CBT up against Alli or Mesik on their own – and he had the beating of both. Too many balls went into our box as a result, but even with eight minutes of stoppage time not one proved decisive and the win was ours.

It was far from perfect, not just because of the level of fitness – and special rewards should go to those who played the whole game, Koumetio (who I thought had an excellent game), Bell, Coventry and Campbell. Grant and TC both looked effective on the left side, neither on the right, while Carey looked a little rusty and perhaps less comfortable in the centre of a three rather than having a freer role to support forwards, run with the ball, and score goals. These things will get ironed out and we will no doubt improve, whether or not there is another signing or two. To get the three points on opening day, like last season, is a massive plus, and that overrides all else, for tonight at least.

I've Seen The Light

I guess this is just a (positive) update to the previous post. That concluded with a comment about all good teams knowing their strengths and playing to them and that with a change of formation (away from a back 3/5 and wing-backs) I couldn’t see what our strengths might be. Well I guess that was my problem because after Colchester (yes, I know it’s ‘only’ Colchester) I think we had the insight. Like Jake Blues, I’ve ‘seen the light’.

With the 4-2-3-1 the emphasis is on the ‘3’. A flat back four, full-backs not wing-backs, which in terms of numbers we are, as things stand, well covered for: Ramsay, McNamara and Asiimwe at right back; two from Jones, Sichenje, Burke, Koumetio and Bell for the central positions; Mesik, Edwards, Bell or Enslin at left-back. A defensive midfield pairing in front of the defence is currently two from Docherty, Coventry, Rankin-Costello and Muamba. It is an area where we can strengthen - Jones was talking post-match about wanting a dominant midfielder, trialist Chalobah was impressive in the role against Colchester and would do the job Coady was doing last season, albeit with concerns over his injury record and how much he might cost in wages – but if the job is to cover defensively and win the ball and play it forward we are not desperately short.

When it comes to the ‘3’, the options would seem to be Arter, Olaofe and Fullah for the right side, possibly Leaburn too; Carey and Knibbs for the central spot; and Campbell, Alli and Grant on the left. Now the choices on either side can be flexible and interchangeable, the central role perhaps more problematic. At first sight it would seem to suit Knibbs rather than Carey – and his immediate understanding with Grant was very encouraging. My guess is that Carey will need to tweak his game, to get better at working in a three and playing in others rather than bombing forward and getting in/around the box in support of the forwards (of course we hope he doesn’t lose the goalscoring habit).

That leaves who plays up top. Current options, as and when all are fit, are Kelman, Godden, Leaburn, Mbick and Kanu, possibly Grant as well. However, the role itself can be different things. It can be primarily about getting on the end of things in the box, which would point to Godden (as he showed on Tuesday night), or it can be about holding up balls out of defence and playing in others. Then the enigma is Leaburn and the case for still getting in Dykes is, to me, strong. Opinion is clearly divided among Addicks on that front, but I suspect too many think of him as a target man with a poor goalscoring ratio. As someone who can hold the ball up and/or find others running through I suspect he could do a very valuable job.

By the time we take the field against Derby these issues will of course be clearer, if not necessarily resolved. Some will have left, some more may have been brought in. But the structure, at least the Plan A, for the season ahead does look clearer. By the time we take the field against Derby I’ll be heading back to Givry or Lyon at the end of a two-week holiday, French fires and broken ribs (don’t ask, second time this year) permitting. So here’s hoping all enjoy the summer break, despite the weather, and are ready to hit the ground running.

So, What Will Be Our Strengths?

News that Karoy Anderson has signed for Blackpool doesn’t come as a surprise, but it is tinged with a little disappointment, rather like Albie Morgan’s departure to Blackpool. Sometimes a move suits both parties and this looks like one. Karoy has during his time with us endeared himself to everyone in and around the club and he leaves with all our best wishes. In an ideal world he’ll get lots of play-time, develop into the controlling midfield player we know he can become, and we are able to buy him back (or more cynically get a decent chunk of any sell-on fee). After all, players do return.

Karlan Grant returning after seven years away has promoted a more mixed reaction. As an additional forward option, one now with plenty of Championship (and top-flight) experience, it clearly has to be a plus, especially with Kelman picking up an injury against Gillingham that looks likely to sideline him for a few weeks. And on a free (although we are not privy to the financial details of the deal). On the negative side, it doesn’t feel like a signing that will make the real difference to the season ahead (or to put it bluntly/negatively the difference between staying up and not). We can’t expect loads of goals from him (same applies to Dykes if he still ends up accepting our offer over others; I assume it’s still on the table, it’s not as if he and Grant are interchangeable and it seems he hasn’t yet agreed a deal at Bristol City). Of course I very much hope I’m proved wrong, he bangs in 20+ and walks away with PotY.

There are still so many players, old and young, we are not sure will be with us when the transfer window closes – and no indication of who may be brought in. So still far too soon to be drawing any conclusions, as Jones the Boss keeps urging, even if any were possible before a ball is kicked in anger.

So far exiting are Ahadme, Mitchell(Z), both on loan, and Anderson (on loan), with Koumetio, Mesic and Grant joining us, with a decision awaited on trialist (ie Redman) as well as from Dykes. So yes the quality of the squad is being improved, just that we are waiting for more. The absence from pre-season friendlies so far of both Edwards and Sichenje is disappointing, as is the injury to Kelman at Gillingham, which is bound to disrupt his pre-season. Jones talked of the shoulder popping out and back in. I did that many moons ago, playing American Football in Greenwich Park on a works do. Didn’t hurt at first - and only realised I had a problem when someone threw me the ball and only one arm went up to catch it – but it sure did later. And although I’m sure Kelman will get more intensive treatment than I did, I’d assume a few weeks of not being able to play football.

Jones is understandably appealing for calm on the transfers front and for the three we’ve signed we didn’t get a lot of notice, so something can happen any time. Equally we are aware of the need to strengthen if we are to progress, which means avoiding a relegation scrap. It isn’t an accident that at the moment only Lincoln are considered by the bookies more likely to go down than us. We are on a par with promoted Bolton and Cardiff, suggesting that two from these three would join Lincoln going down. Doesn’t really mean much, but it doesn’t mean nothing.

What is rather surprising is that all the indications from the pre-season so far is that Jones is ditching the five at the back. That has some significant implications in all departments.

In defence, from looking at a combination of three from Jones, Burke, Bell, Sichenje, Ramsay and Koumetio, assuming Mitchell(A) is still on his way to Plymouth, we are now looking at Jones and one other. The relative absence of wing-back options – Asiimwe and Ramsay on the right, Edwards, Bell and Mesic on the left – becomes less of an issue if we are looking at full-backs instead of wing-backs.

Although it’s unclear whether we will favour 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 (or variations of either), I’d suggest that in midfield the formation change makes things more problematic for Carey and Knibbs, or Fullah, in that the more advanced role in a three no longer works. Now Carey’s goals sustained us last season while we’ve yet to see what Knibbs can offer in the Championship given his extended absence through injury. They don’t play wide and don’t stack up as holding midfielders. Presumably Jones has thought about this one, but whether or not Carey can be as effective in a new set-up remains to be seen.

It’s equally unclear if we are moving to a front three or a front two with wingers. Is Campbell going to be treated as a winger now (which he clearly is)? Does it mean that Apter has more of a role to play? Does Grant play as a second forward or one of a three? All of which still leaves us in doubt over which out of Leaburn, Dykes(?), Kelman, Godden, Kanu (if he stays) and Grant are considered first choice.

All of these issues will of course be worked out. But for me if there’s cause for concern at this stage it’s because, IMO, every successful team knows its strengths (and resulting weaknesses) and plays accordingly. I haven’t a clue right now what our strengths are/will be. Last season we were successful when we focused on defence and possibly nicking something at the other end. The number of clean sheets is the testimony for that. But we are it seems changing the defensive structure, as well as personnel, and adjusting the midfield in a way which may well compromise a major source of goals for us last season (Carey). So please forgive us Mr Jones, because we don’t yet see (or rather I don’t) just how we intend to play and why. Improving quality is of course a desirable objective, but it's a little vague unless you already know the structure and are looking for better options in defined roles.