More Expected In Weeks Ahead

And what did we learn from yesterday? Not the yardstick for the season ahead of course, things still being experimented with, reshuffling through the game etc. But to say that JJ would be the happier of the two managers at the end would be an understatement. His side had limited us to a couple of decent opportunities, scored a couple of goals that would look good from their perspective, and won the game, albeit with the help of some agricultural challenges not especially in the spirit of the game, with our players taken out unceremoniously when danger threatened, them safe in the knowledge that the referee was keeping his card in his pocket.

Let’s start with the positives. Aside from no obvious injuries picked up I’d say only two. Edwards looked very good as the left-sided wing-back, albeit more for his defensive work than getting forward. He nullified the threat from their erratic but lively winger (the contrast being obvious when after a breakdown from a corner that guy found himself up against Campbell and skinned him on the outside to lay on their opener). The only qualifier here is that in that position he is competing with Small, who replaced him late on. Good to have competition for places for sure, but it means one of the two warming the bench, perhaps being alternated for and during games (while Edun came on yesterday in a midfield role). On the other flank we started with Watson and replaced him late on with Asiimwe (with Ramsay also coming on but playing in a more central position).

The other one for me was Mannion. He had no chance with either of their goals, no other serious attempts on goal to deal with, but looked assured when it came to dealing with high balls and had a calm assurance about him. The qualifier here is that any thoughts of him being an established first-choice keeper would seem to be dependent on whether, having confirmed the departure of Isted (who goes with all best wishes, for us he just never really nailed down the position and like Hector and Thomas has paid the price for last season’s collective defensive failures), we end up signing Bergovic. If we do, that would mean two positions for which we are very well covered.

That only leaves nine. And here we turn to negatives. We began the game with a midfield trio of Coventry, Docherty (who was captain) and Berry. Wouldn’t be surprising if they were viewed as the first-choice combination. Collectively they were disappointing. Through the first half they did you might say gradually establish an ascendency in terms of possession after Wimbledon’s bright start. Just that we looked ordinary and one-paced. Very little was done with the possession other than rely on Aneke winning a physical battle to produce something (which after a poor start he managed to do). Might be a case of three guys learning how to play together and with understanding will come improvement; might also prove to be a case of the boat going faster with not necessarily the quickest individual rowers (Jones contrasted the performance with that against Palace but that was with a different midfield).  On that matter judgement has to be reserved. The changes late in the game saw Taylor, Edun and Anderson introduced, with little time for anyone to impress, while Fraser was a notable absentee.

Up front Aneke and Godden as a pair worked well enough, after – as the ever insightful Steve Brown pointed out – Chuks focused less on how to bully their defenders and more on how to use the ball and make something happen. They combined to produce the first half’s only effort of note from us, which ended with the latter shooting over from close range. I’m mystified why Ahadme – who appears badly in need of game time, currently doing a passable imitation of Tedic – was brought on at the break and then taken off with the mass changes on 77 minutes. By then Campbell had replaced Godden, continuing the experiment of using him in a central role. He did cause them problems but also failed to convert our one second-half chance when he got through on the keeper. Kanu brought energy and directness when he came on, while trialist Hylton was the only unused outfield substitute.

With no sign that Jones is considering Mbick or Casey as ready for first-team selection, Leaburn still a way from returning, we seem to be shaping up pretty simply with a big(ger) guy and a partner, the former being a mix of Ahadme and Aneke, the latter Godden and Campbell, Hylton if he signs, with Kanu something between the two. You assume that Ahadme and Godden are the chosen pair, just would be good to see them open their account for us.

Defensively we began with a trio of Jones, Mitchell(A) and Gillesphey, replacing them late on with Ramsay, Mitchell(Z) and Edmonds-Green. Wimbledon’s second goal came just after the replacements and was a classic case of three central defenders standing still and occupying their areas, allowing one forward to make a well-time run between them and into the space behind. That had echoes of last season. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the starting three being the way things pan out for early in the season. There was still no appearance from Ness. Have to assume when Jones says “we need to move one or two on” that Ness and Fraser are at least on the list.

Previously I suggested that if you had to pick a starting X1 right now (and not including trialists) it could be: Mannion, Small, Ramsay, Gillesphey, Mitchell(A), Jones, Coventry, Berry, Dochety, Ahadme and Godden. Subs would presumably include Isted/Maynard-Brewer then a selection from Watson, Edun, Asiimwe, Ness, Mitchell, Anderson, Campbell, Kanu, Aneke. For yesterday Jones went with eight of my starting choices, the two wing-backs being different and Aneke starting rather than Ahadme. The wildcards arising are whether Edwards is accommodated and Mannion is supplanted by a new signing. The concern is that we played most of the game yesterday with something close to what would be viewed as first-choices and looked ordinary, seldom threatening from open play or set pieces. Even though it was an inconsequential pre-season friendly we – and Jones – will expect more in the weeks ahead.

Progress Report

So, what have we learnt so far? For sure this can only be an interim assessment as there’s bound to be a good deal more transfer activity, both in and out, before a ball is kicked in earnest and the transfer window closes. But you have to say so far on balance it’s positive, not uniformly but on balance.

First thing we’ve learnt is that any doubts about the formation now that Jones is able to shape a squad have surely been dispelled. When you have one genuine winger left, are not linked with any potential wide signings, and are in the process of trying to convert that one winger into a central forward, plus have stocked up on centre-backs and wing-backs, it’s safe to say it’s going to be 3-5-2/5-3-2 as Plan A for the foreseeable future.

In goal so far Mannion has come in and neither Isted nor Maynard-Brewer have departed, while another signing continues to be speculated. The duties in the friendlies to date have been shared equally between the three, and the starting berth may simply go to the man in form, but it’s fair to assume that Mannion has not been brought in to play second or third fiddle to the two others. Another one signed and presumably Isted or Maynard-Brewer will be encouraged to find pastures new.

For the wing-backs, we currently have available (in no particular order) Edun, Watson, Small, Asiimwe, Ramsay and Edwards (of course Edun and Edwards could feature in other positions). For two starting berths and at least one place on the bench (or two first choice and two back-ups) that’s plenty, presumably Small and Ramsay are the first choices. Whether Watson and/or Edun would be content to wait for their chance only they know, perhaps Asiimwe could go out on loan to further his development. As things stand we’re well covered.

For the centre-backs, having let Thomas and Hector depart we have available from last season Jones, Ness, Gillesphey, and Edmonds-Green, to which have been added Mitchell, Edwards (if he plays in a back three) and the returning Mitchell. If trialist Potts signs on we would probably move from well covered to overloaded and one or more could be given a nudge, with all best wishes. As mentioned elsewhere, the relative absence of Ness from the friendlies so far points to him, but he still has potential and is only 22; I’d rather see him out on loan (he needs game time not having been able to reproduce his best form last season post-injury) than sold (and same goes for Mitchell if he’s not in the squad). Presumably Mitchell will be looked on as the new defensive leader and cornerstone, leaving Jones to work out the best combination for the other two slots.

Midfield remains decidedly unclear given the decimation from last season. Although McGrandles has added to the departures and Henry effectively too, Fraser and Taylor are still with us, as are Coventry and Anderson. We’ve added Berry and Docherty, we continue to look at Bishop it seems, while Campbell is still listed as a midfielder (and again is the only genuine winger we have). For the three starting places you assume Berry will take one, but which combination from the others is a much tougher call. You’d expect Coventry to be one, but nothing’s clear-cut and in this area it would be surprising if there were not more transfer activity.

For the forwards, let’s not mince words. Selling May has left us materially weaker, which is no reflection on Godden’s abilities. Very few players will score 20 or more goals in this division next season and May, barring injury, is highly likely to be one of them, especially as he has gone to a club everyone assumes will be challenging for promotion. The exact balance of factors behind his departure (relations with Jones, Jones’ assessment of his abilities, family pressures, money etc) is subjective, fact is we have lost a nailed on goalscorer (and when he was at his best last season he was irrepressible).

We now number Godden and Ahadme as the two major signings and the expected starting pair, plus Kanu, Aneke (when available) and Leaburn (when finally fit), plus Campbell if he is used in this position. Discount Leaburn for now, assume that Aneke will continue to be used for 60 minutes max, and you are down to three, possibly four, two of whom are new to the club and have yet to show they are a natural partnership (on paper it looks good) and one being converted from a winger (and on that front you’d say Campbell makes the grade for getting in behind if given space but has yet to show he has or can develop a poacher’s instinct inside the box). Like last season, you would say if all were available and match-fit we would be strong, but that’s a bit ‘if’.

It's not surprising that transfer activity has tailed off over the past couple of weeks, as Jones and the squad headed for Slovenia and a chance for people to bed in as well as get up to speed. You’d say the bulk of the changes have been made, but there’s still ample scope in midfield and up front for an addition or two, perhaps this time a loan signing to potentially add some quality.

If you had to pick a starting X1 right now (and not including trialists) I’d suggest: Mannion, Small, Ramsay, Gillesphey, Mitchell, Jones, Coventry, Berry, Dochety, Ahadme and Godden. Subs would presumably include Isted/Maynard-Brewer then a selection from Watson, Edun, Asiimwe, Ness, Mitchell, Anderson, Campbell, Kanu, Aneke.

As for whether such a line-up would be good enough for promotion, you’d need to be much more in tune with the multitudinous comings and goings at other clubs than me to draw any conclusions. It’s reasonable to say the (almost) unbeaten run we went on late last season sets the tone for what Jones wants, a team that is bloody difficult to beat. We’ve not been that for some years, so that is clearly an important step in the right direction. By the same token that run contained mostly draws, ie we were competitive but no more than that. Whether we can compensate for the loss of May’s goals depends on how the new front two hit it off, whether we can work out how to score from set pieces, and whether some of the midfielders can make a meaningful contribution.

Pretty obvious conclusions but areas which you can’t say we have made changes to clearly address. Birmingham are going to be everyone’s favourites to win the league, Rotherham you’d put money on being in the top six. The bookies seem to currently have us 7th favourite to get promoted (which implies just missing out on a play-off spot). That you’d say is fair as things stand, but with the potential for Jones to get more out of the team/squad than others, with his standardised style of play, and for a little more tweaking in the market to shorten our odds.

Are we going to be pretty? Wouldn’t bet on it, but that is secondary to success. And success has to be promotion, not a promotion challenge, not missing out in the play-offs. Not because we have any divine right, just because failure equates to another season in a division in which our club cannot thrive.

As a final aside, Rak-Sakyi’s goal against us for Palace in the latest curtain-raiser does raise an interesting question. Just how many recent Charlton Players of the Year might score against us this season? Of course May is next up, Dobson appearing for Wrexham could make it all of the last three. Then you have Forster-Caskey, at Stevenage, to make it four. Going back another year and you have a long shot, if Phillips can launch one into our net (or take a penalty) for Rotherham. Then it’s the ubiquitous Taylor, now at Colchester; we could of course draw them in some cup. The same applies to his predecessor Dasilva, now at Coventry, and going back another year Holmes, now at non-league Farnborough). More likely would be Cousins (we’re now back to 2015/16 PotY, also 2014/15 for that matter), now with Cambridge. I think we can draw the line there, given that the 2013/14 winner was Poyet, now assistant manager for the Greek national team.