Addicks Out To Emulate By Consolidating

With Football League hostilities set to resume this weekend, we test the readiness of each of the Capital’s representatives ahead of the new campaign.

Our latest instalment turns the spotlight onto the Valley where we drop in on Chris Powell’s operation south of the river, as he aims to capitalise on Charlton’s late surge last season by maintaining the pressure on the big boys above them in the Championship.

2013-14 Preview: Charlton Athletic

A ninth place finish for a team just arriving back in the English second tier, under the tutelage of a rookie manager, was a more than satisfactory achievement for Chris Powell’s Charlton last time out and, with a better start to the season, could have provided an even more pleasing outcome.

However, the club have been slow to remedy the problems caused by a low-key opening to 2012-13 and some dismal home form disguised only by a fine away record and a string of late goals towards the back end of term and, while no-one would want the hierarchy to get carried away off the back of one inconsistent season, it is the way in which a number of senior pros have been allowed to leave and have not then been properly replaced that is currently causing most concern along Floyd Road.

Boasting just a single goalkeeper with Championship experience and only one recognised striker in their ranks, Charlton have left their serious business late, if, indeed, they intend to do any at all.

Many doubt the money is there for manager Powell to spend, evidenced by the fact that the only moves made so far this summer have been to make midfielder Mark Gower’s loan from Swansea City permanent and to sign centre-back Richard Wood from Coventry City on a free transfer.

The sales of several high-profile performers have left gaping holes in the Robins’ roster, most notably felt from the departures of keeper David Button to League One Brentford and the release of winger Scott Wagstaff, as well as Danny Haynes and Ricardo Fuller, which has decimated the attack. This was exacerbated by Bradley Wright-Phillips’ move abroad to join New York Red Bulls, where he will team up with ex-Arsenal superstar Thierry Henry, and the return of Jonathan Obika to parent club Tottenham Hotspur, which all leaves the Addicks desperate for an influx of bodies to rally a stricken strikeforce.

Skipper Johnnie Jackson top-scored from midfield last year, along with Frenchman Yann Kermorgant, currently the only senior striker on the books. The club has been linked with Simon Church, with reports suggesting the former Reading man could be in situ in time for Saturday’s away day at Bournemouth, after the Welsh international impressed during a trial at the club last week.

Church would represent a welcome addition to a threadbare attack and some are suggesting that, under Powell’s guidance, he could yet rediscover his best form but, even with his arrival, it is hard to see bookies paying out at 7-1 for the Addicks finishing as the capital’s top Championship outfit come May.

Jordan Cook, who made little impact before being loaned to Yeovil in March, could offer support to Kermorgant up front, as could Northern Irish youngster Adam McGurk, who has recently been on trial at the club and is at present unattached.

More likely, the club will look to rely more heavily on their youth system, with striker Joe Piggott, who has scored five times in friendlies (including a hat-trick against Welling United) and Ade Azeez given special mentions by academy coach and former Addicks frontman Jason Euell after netting in the 2-0 Win over Skrill Premier side Dartford on Tuesday, while both teenage winger Callum Harriott, who has been prolific this summer, and 21-year-old stopper Nick Pope have been attracting attention and receiving rave reviews throughout a packed pre-season programme.

As Powell goes into his third full season in the hot-seat, what is certain is that he will need the characters among his squad to come to the fore right from the off if he is to have any hope of remaining competitive in this most unforgiving of divisions.

Roles played by the likes of Jackson, Kermorgant and player of the year from the last two seasons Chris Solly will be crucial as the boss tries to compensate for the underwhelming statements made by the club in the transfer market this summer and looks to sustain a credible challenge to be in the running at the business end of the campaign.