Transfer Business - Summer 2017/18
Incomings
Joe Dodoo (Loan) - Dodoo joined on the latter stages of the transfer deadline day from Rangers. Rangers fans rate him highly despite him having scored 3 goals in 20 appearances for them. He is still young however and deserves a chance. He offers us something different from what we already have. Finally, he signed on a six month loan deal, giving us another option until the January transfer window where we can buy a striker on a permanent basis and hopefully continue to mount a promotion push.
Outgoings
Adam Chicksen, Roger Johnson (Released) - One player I'd imagine a lot of fans, including myself, would be glad to see the back of is Roger Johnson. After his spat with fans after the opening day defeat against Bury last season, he definitely wasn't wanted. Meanwhile, Adam Chicksen, was a surprise to see go. He never really got a long enough period of games to prove himself in, but when he did play, he looked solid at both left back and left midfield and could have been a neat option to have for the upcoming season.
Igor Vetokele (Loan) - Vetokele spent last season on loan at Sint Truiden and is continuing to do so this season. After suffering a long term injury, he never really got back to his form at the start of his Charlton career. It is a shame to see him struggle as we've seen what he can do in the Championship, but I fear he wont be given the chance to get back to that form with us if we continue to linger in League one.
Cristian Ceballos - Ceballos started our pre-season campaign after returning from his loan spell at Sint Truiden. He seemed to be better than what he had previously shown in his last two seasons with us and would have given us cover in the wings, but Robinson decided to move him on, to perhaps free up some space for another signing to come in.
Jorge Teixeira - A player much loved by fans and a very good defender, not only at this level, but also at the level above. However, keeping him was always going to be difficult and with him being one of the higher earners at the club, it is probably for the best that Robinson decided to let him go. He moved to Sint Truiden, Duchâtelet's other club, so there were questions asked whether Teixeira is actually off the wage bill. However, Charlton would have their wage budget and Sint Truiden would have theirs, despite the owner being the same.
Nicky Ajose (Loan) - With the current striker situation occurring, it is a shame to see Ajose leave on loan. He is a player I believe we could have got goals out of this season, despite not being what we had hoped or last season. He still scored 11 goals last season and 24 the season before that. He knows how to score and has had a prolific period in his career. However, it was Ajose's decision to move and to keep a player that doesn't want to be here wouldn't have been the best. So although it is disappointing to see him leave with the current striker situation, his move is understandable.
Lee Novak - After only signing for us last summer, Novak had a torrid time with us. Scoring 2 goals in 31 league appearances, he never turned out to be the player we thought he would, causing fans to get on his back and give harsh but perhaps deserved criticism. Despite looking in better shape this season, Novak was sold to Scunthorpe on what is believed to be a free transfer. I would have liked to have given him one more season not only to see what he could do, but also because circumstances left us with only 2 strikers in Josh Magennis and Joe Dodoo.
Andrew Crofts - Crofts had his contract terminated the day after the transfer deadline day. This could have been done in an attempt to make room in the squad for recently released Gillingham midfielder, Josh Wright. When Wright was first released, Robinson said that although he is an admirer, there isn't space for him in the team, so a deal would be unlikely. Now with Crofts leaving, this could create the necessary room for Wright to come in.
Notable Links
Marcus Maddison - One of the league's best midfielders and another player Robinson admires, alongside top transfer targets Mark Marshall and Ben Reeves. With one year remaining on his contract with Peterborough, due to club policy, he was been placed on their transfer list. However, on deadline day, he signed a 3 year contract extension with the posh.
Cameron Stewart (Trialist) - Stewart was present for the majority of our pre-season campaign.
Although he impressed Robinson and us being slightly short of wingers, Robinson decided against signing Stewart, leaving him to try and negotiate with other clubs with a return to The Valley always a possibility. Previous to his trial, he had been without a club since his release from Ipswich Town, leaving him extraordinarily unfit. This could have been a factor in Robinson taking the decision he did.
Josh Wright - Wright started his career at Charlton and now finds himself Gillingham. Last season he scored 14 goals from central midfield, winning him the Gillingham player of the year award. With the lack of midfield options available to us at the moment, he would prove to be a good signing. He recently had his contract with Gillingham cut short. There seemed to be tension between him and Gillingham manager, Ady Pennock regarding the idea that Wright didn't want to be on the bench. However, reading through his twitter, Wright said that this wasn't the case, that he was happy at the club and didn't want to leave. Although, Wright wouldn't get in the team ahead of Forster-Caskey and Kashi, the contract termination of Crofts means he could make a very good back-up option, maybe even ahead of the likes of Aribo and Konsa.
David Martin - Martin worked with Robinson during his time at MK Dons and we have been heavily linked with him all summer. Martin was part of the squad that travelled with us to Ireland for our pre-season tour, but no move ever materialised. He was also seen at The Valley in our final pre-season friendly against Ipswich Town, which we won 6-1, alongside Ben Reeves. But ended up signing for Millwall on a short term deal.
Scott Golbourne - Regarding Golbourne, it seems as if he was a plan B for the possibility that we couldn't sign Jay Dasilva on loan, which thankfully, we did. Although, if DaSilva did fall through, Golbourne could have added something DaSilva may have been unable to, experience. Ultimately, it is pleasing to see Robinson has back up players in mind for if transfers fall through or for whatever reason, don't happen.
Matthew Godden - Godden scored 20 goals in 39 games for Stevenage last season, so could be a good back-up option in the striker position. Only having two senior strikers at the club, Godden would have made a good addition to the squad.
Will Grigg - Being a proven goal scorer at league one level, it was always going to prove difficult to sign Grigg. I think Grigg could have made the difference between automatics and playoffs and would have been the perfect fit. We need a proven goal scorer to help Magennis and Grigg would have been just that.
Personal Thoughts - Window in General
We improved the quality of the team an awful lot during window. We signed players who seem to want to play for Charlton and have bought into what Robinson is trying to achieve and we have also either sold or loaned out players who don't want to be here or were extremely high earners at the club. We did a lot of smart business with free transfers of Billy Clarke, Mark Marshall and Ben Reeves. The final stages of the transfer window and deadline day in particular were frustrating and disappointing for Charlton fans. After knowing that another striker was needed all summer and being linked with players like Will Grigg, Matty Taylor, Matthew Godden and John Akinde, all players who score goals at their respective clubs, for it to come down to deadline day and have signed not a striker was extremely aggravating. We did sign Joe Dodoo from Rangers on loan until January, where we should be going and signing one of these big name strikers, but to be linked with strikers of this quality and to not get any of them is rather irritating. There are still areas that need improving, like a back-up goalkeeper and a permanent striker, but I feel that they can be properly addressed in January.
Billy Clarke - The first of Karl Robinson's summer signings and, from what he has shown in our pre-season friendlies so far, a decent one at that. The Bradford striker/centre forward helped Bradford reach the Play-offs last season. Going by Bradford fan's views and opinions on Clarke, he was very much loved by the bantams faithful mainly for his dedication and love for the club but also for his work ethic, however they weren't to fond with what matters most, his footballing ability. Personally, I think it's a good signing as we struggled in that creative midfielder/forward role last season. A problem which arose for Russell Slade last summer and one which has never been fully addressed. We have players who can play there, but not naturally and are better suited to other positions.
Mark Marshall - A very exciting signing, again from Bradford, who was voted as their player of the year last season. From what I have seen of him when Bradford visited The Valley last season he is a tricky, pacey and direct winger and caused us many issues down the wings. He was also involved in Bradford's goal in the 1-1 draw. Playing for us, however, I haven't seen much of him in our pre-season friendlies, but I know that his injury he picked up at Stevenage will be a major blow.
Tariqe Fosu - Fosu was signed from Reading on contract compensation. Like Marshall, he is a tricky and pacey winger, who spent the end of last season on loan at Colchester as they narrowly missed out on the league two play-offs. What I find promising about this transfer is that Reading offered him a new contract, so they must have seen potential and Reading fans were surprised and slightly disappointed he had left. In our pre-season friendlies against both the East Anglian clubs, Norwich and Ipswich, he looked like a very skilful winger who could possibly be deployed as a number 10 as well.
Jay DaSilva (Loan) - A player who impressed in his loan spell with us for the second half of last season, won the U19s European Championships with England this summer and attracted interest from numerous Championship clubs. Another very good addition to the side this season. He played with us last season under Robinson so should fit into the team straight away, perhaps after some rest after his busy summer, however.
Ben Amos (Loan) - Amos, A former Manchester United academy graduate and Champions league finalist, joined on loan from Bolton just prior to our pre-season friendly against Ipswich Town. At this point in time, we were still in the search for a permanent goalkeeper and had David Martin training with the club. Being on loan at Cardiff last season, Bolton fans and Cardiff fans both said that he was good at close range saves, but struggled at long distance strikes. Amos got off to a rather shaky start in Charlton colours, but over time he has really proven himself, making some big saves at important times in games.
Ben Reeves - Another one of Robinson's top transfer targets and a player he knows extremely well from his MK Dons days, a time in which Reeves won the MK Dons player of the year in the 2013/14 season and promotion to the Championship. We had been linked with Reeves since the January transfer window. It proved very difficult to sign him as Reeves attracted interest from the championship and also Spain and needed time to consider his options. He could be the creative midfielder we have been missing for the last season and already knows Robinson's system, although, MK Dons fans say he is injury prone and extremely inconsistent but when fit, can be one of the better midfielders in the league. Finally, speaking to the press after the Checkatrade win against Crawley, Reeves said the signings made by Robinson, key players being retained and the ambition shown are what attracted him to join Charlton.Joe Dodoo (Loan) - Dodoo joined on the latter stages of the transfer deadline day from Rangers. Rangers fans rate him highly despite him having scored 3 goals in 20 appearances for them. He is still young however and deserves a chance. He offers us something different from what we already have. Finally, he signed on a six month loan deal, giving us another option until the January transfer window where we can buy a striker on a permanent basis and hopefully continue to mount a promotion push.
Outgoings
Adam Chicksen, Roger Johnson (Released) - One player I'd imagine a lot of fans, including myself, would be glad to see the back of is Roger Johnson. After his spat with fans after the opening day defeat against Bury last season, he definitely wasn't wanted. Meanwhile, Adam Chicksen, was a surprise to see go. He never really got a long enough period of games to prove himself in, but when he did play, he looked solid at both left back and left midfield and could have been a neat option to have for the upcoming season.
Igor Vetokele (Loan) - Vetokele spent last season on loan at Sint Truiden and is continuing to do so this season. After suffering a long term injury, he never really got back to his form at the start of his Charlton career. It is a shame to see him struggle as we've seen what he can do in the Championship, but I fear he wont be given the chance to get back to that form with us if we continue to linger in League one.
Cristian Ceballos - Ceballos started our pre-season campaign after returning from his loan spell at Sint Truiden. He seemed to be better than what he had previously shown in his last two seasons with us and would have given us cover in the wings, but Robinson decided to move him on, to perhaps free up some space for another signing to come in.
Jorge Teixeira - A player much loved by fans and a very good defender, not only at this level, but also at the level above. However, keeping him was always going to be difficult and with him being one of the higher earners at the club, it is probably for the best that Robinson decided to let him go. He moved to Sint Truiden, Duchâtelet's other club, so there were questions asked whether Teixeira is actually off the wage bill. However, Charlton would have their wage budget and Sint Truiden would have theirs, despite the owner being the same.
Nicky Ajose (Loan) - With the current striker situation occurring, it is a shame to see Ajose leave on loan. He is a player I believe we could have got goals out of this season, despite not being what we had hoped or last season. He still scored 11 goals last season and 24 the season before that. He knows how to score and has had a prolific period in his career. However, it was Ajose's decision to move and to keep a player that doesn't want to be here wouldn't have been the best. So although it is disappointing to see him leave with the current striker situation, his move is understandable.
Lee Novak - After only signing for us last summer, Novak had a torrid time with us. Scoring 2 goals in 31 league appearances, he never turned out to be the player we thought he would, causing fans to get on his back and give harsh but perhaps deserved criticism. Despite looking in better shape this season, Novak was sold to Scunthorpe on what is believed to be a free transfer. I would have liked to have given him one more season not only to see what he could do, but also because circumstances left us with only 2 strikers in Josh Magennis and Joe Dodoo.
Andrew Crofts - Crofts had his contract terminated the day after the transfer deadline day. This could have been done in an attempt to make room in the squad for recently released Gillingham midfielder, Josh Wright. When Wright was first released, Robinson said that although he is an admirer, there isn't space for him in the team, so a deal would be unlikely. Now with Crofts leaving, this could create the necessary room for Wright to come in.
Notable Links
Marcus Maddison - One of the league's best midfielders and another player Robinson admires, alongside top transfer targets Mark Marshall and Ben Reeves. With one year remaining on his contract with Peterborough, due to club policy, he was been placed on their transfer list. However, on deadline day, he signed a 3 year contract extension with the posh.
Cameron Stewart (Trialist) - Stewart was present for the majority of our pre-season campaign.
Although he impressed Robinson and us being slightly short of wingers, Robinson decided against signing Stewart, leaving him to try and negotiate with other clubs with a return to The Valley always a possibility. Previous to his trial, he had been without a club since his release from Ipswich Town, leaving him extraordinarily unfit. This could have been a factor in Robinson taking the decision he did.
Josh Wright - Wright started his career at Charlton and now finds himself Gillingham. Last season he scored 14 goals from central midfield, winning him the Gillingham player of the year award. With the lack of midfield options available to us at the moment, he would prove to be a good signing. He recently had his contract with Gillingham cut short. There seemed to be tension between him and Gillingham manager, Ady Pennock regarding the idea that Wright didn't want to be on the bench. However, reading through his twitter, Wright said that this wasn't the case, that he was happy at the club and didn't want to leave. Although, Wright wouldn't get in the team ahead of Forster-Caskey and Kashi, the contract termination of Crofts means he could make a very good back-up option, maybe even ahead of the likes of Aribo and Konsa.
David Martin - Martin worked with Robinson during his time at MK Dons and we have been heavily linked with him all summer. Martin was part of the squad that travelled with us to Ireland for our pre-season tour, but no move ever materialised. He was also seen at The Valley in our final pre-season friendly against Ipswich Town, which we won 6-1, alongside Ben Reeves. But ended up signing for Millwall on a short term deal.
Scott Golbourne - Regarding Golbourne, it seems as if he was a plan B for the possibility that we couldn't sign Jay Dasilva on loan, which thankfully, we did. Although, if DaSilva did fall through, Golbourne could have added something DaSilva may have been unable to, experience. Ultimately, it is pleasing to see Robinson has back up players in mind for if transfers fall through or for whatever reason, don't happen.
Matthew Godden - Godden scored 20 goals in 39 games for Stevenage last season, so could be a good back-up option in the striker position. Only having two senior strikers at the club, Godden would have made a good addition to the squad.
Will Grigg - Being a proven goal scorer at league one level, it was always going to prove difficult to sign Grigg. I think Grigg could have made the difference between automatics and playoffs and would have been the perfect fit. We need a proven goal scorer to help Magennis and Grigg would have been just that.
Personal Thoughts - Window in General
We improved the quality of the team an awful lot during window. We signed players who seem to want to play for Charlton and have bought into what Robinson is trying to achieve and we have also either sold or loaned out players who don't want to be here or were extremely high earners at the club. We did a lot of smart business with free transfers of Billy Clarke, Mark Marshall and Ben Reeves. The final stages of the transfer window and deadline day in particular were frustrating and disappointing for Charlton fans. After knowing that another striker was needed all summer and being linked with players like Will Grigg, Matty Taylor, Matthew Godden and John Akinde, all players who score goals at their respective clubs, for it to come down to deadline day and have signed not a striker was extremely aggravating. We did sign Joe Dodoo from Rangers on loan until January, where we should be going and signing one of these big name strikers, but to be linked with strikers of this quality and to not get any of them is rather irritating. There are still areas that need improving, like a back-up goalkeeper and a permanent striker, but I feel that they can be properly addressed in January.
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