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. 

Welcome Ivan to The Wally

Great Q&A video on the club site with new signing Ivan Mesik. Even elicited a BBC article headlined that he is ‘living the dream’ playing for Charlton. It is the dream of all footballers, or should be. It marks an excellent start to what we hope will be a long and successful stint with us.

Just do have to add that the video gave me an unexpected good laugh. When asked the question “how can I convince my Slovakian girlfriend to come to The Valley to watch Charlton games?” Mesik revealed the quite common and forgivable inability to pronounce the English ‘v’, using a ‘w’ instead (I remember watching a DVD in Iceland about the Vikings which had a dramatic build-up full of blood and thunder followed by ‘they were called the Wikings’). So he talked of playing at The Walley (as in ‘walleee’). That was bad enough, but if you look at the script/translation it reads that as ‘The Wally’.

So welcome Ivan, let’s get the Wally full and rocking!

Initial Comings And Goings

So, two in – one widely rumoured for a while, the other completely out of left field – and two out, or four to date if you add in those not retained. All of those departing go with best wishes and more. Gillesphey signed from Plymouth for an undisclosed fee in January 2024, the same day as Coventry joined us. Charlton, then with Appleton at the helm, were “thrilled” with the signing and he will for an obvious reason be added to the list of Charlton legends. Not many have scored for us at Wembley (Turner, Duffy, Mendonca, Rufus, everyone who took a penalty, Purrington, Bauer and Gillesphey if I’m right) and the list of those who scored the winner there is even shorter (Duffy, arguably Newton, Bauer and Gillesphey). 109 appearances and a decent centre-back return of eight goals, plus the fact that he was just about always available and put in a shift when called on.

Ahadme, signed in July 2024, might be at the other end of the scale in that we paid a bucketload for him (undisclosed of course) and had high hopes that he would be in tandem with Godden the spearhead of our attack. That didn’t happen, last season’s loan to Stevenage didn’t work out, and Jones’ comment as he left for Cambridge on loan that “we haven’t seen the best of Gassan yet” is something of an understatement. But he’s only 25 and even if away for all of next season would have another year left on his contract, so we hope he truly blossoms and fulfils the potential that would seem to be there, either to return to us in better shape or so that we can get some money back.

Taylor and Berry had contrasting experiences with us. We signed Taylor in July 2023 from Burton (undisclosed fee of course) and it just didn’t work out. Just 13 appearances for us and more time on loan at Northampton, he heads off to Stevenage with time still on his side. By contrast Berry was a seasoned campaigner when we picked him up after his contract with Luton expired in July 2024. With 57 games and eight goals his importance in the side which won promotion will not be forgotten. It seems that a number of youngsters have either been released or haven’t yet agreed new terms so are currently free agents, including Casey. Good luck to all of them too!

The agreement with Godden for another year is very welcome. He may shortly turn 35 but showed enough hunger, desire and ability at the end of last season to justify being retained. He is still by a distance our best operator inside the box and we all hope will be instrumental in the further development of Kelman, both for poaching skills and by showing him how to make a real pain of himself for defenders outside the box. We wait for news on whether or not Dykes will take our offer of a new deal – and nobody will blame us for feeling slightly relieved that his World Cup experience won’t have added zeroes to his price.

And welcome Mesik and Koumetio! The latter we assume will be a straight replacement for Gillesphey, the former either another option at left-side centre-back, along with Bell (assuming we stay with a back 3/5), or competition for the returning Edwards in the left-side wing-back role. Assuming we keep Jones and Ramsay, the only defensive position we are now light on is right-side wing-back. As things stand you’d assume Ramsay taking that spot with Asiimwe (if he stays) as back-up, leaving Sichenje and Burke to cover the right-side central position. I’d be happy to see Fevrier (brought back in – and please can we have no more talk that Apter might cover as wing-back. He is a real threat going forward and I hope we keep him as an impact sub, but defensively as a wing-back he was and would still be far too great a risk. Opponents are well aware of this.

That leaves no obvious spot for either of the Mitchells or, for now at least, Gough. We’ve been assuming that Mitchell(A) will be off to Plymouth or be sold to another League One outfit, and if he is he will be another going with best wishes for the future. He was supplanted by Jones as the lynchpin of the defence in the promotion season and seems the sort of player who needs to play regularly or gets rusty. He’s still only 24 and will be an asset to any League One side, with the potential to move higher. Mitchell(Z) and Gough would seem to be candidates to go out on loan.

If the defence is shaping up, the same cannot be said for the midfield, while up front it remains unclear whether we retain or replace Dykes, bring in a marque signing, or anticipate better returns than last season from those currently available to us. Returning loanees Anderson, Apter, Olaofe, Kanu and Mbick have swelled the numbers, but it’s not yet clear how we will shape up in midfield (either more of the same if it’s Docherty, Coventry and Rankin-Costello, plus Anderson, along with Carey, Knibbs and Fullah competing for the more advanced spot) or up front. Godden, Kelman, Dykes(?), Leaburn, Campbell, Olaofe, Kanu and Mbick is too many and too uncertain.

We’re all aware of the limitations and obstacles when it comes to new signings in these areas, and the higher risks involved. There’s no cause for impatience as yet, the club has credit in the bank and no doubt some rejigging will be done before we kick off against Derby on 15 August (and possibly after that date). We’re also aware that for good reasons as things stand we are ranked by most as among likely relegation candidates. They can be proved wrong just by collective efforts, as we did at the start of last season, by players with us last season improving, and by fresh signings, including loan options.

Mentally I think there’s a challenge in that the Championship next season is going to be much tougher and the chances of a surprise bid for the play-offs much reduced. Sheff Wed began last season effectively already relegated and Leicester imploded. West Ham, Burnley and Wolves are unlikely to repeat the trials and tribulations of those relegated to the Championship a year ago, while Cardiff and Bolton at least will fancy their chances of staying up. Nothing is written, everything is possible, but you have to believe everything is possible for it to perhaps become so. That’s of course for Jones and his staff to work on!