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.