Charlton run the rule over 12,000 players

Ged Roddy is no longer a full-time employee at Charlton and is operating on a consultancy basis.  Thomas Sandgaard said, 'We are still trying to figure out his specific tasks.'  (Suggestions welcome)  Johnnie Jackson said: 'I wish him all the best into whatever he goes into': https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/exclusive-martin-sandgaard-appointed-charlton-athletics-director-of-analysis/

Thomas's son Martin may have other duties added to his director of analysis task, but at the moment he and his small team are busy assessing 12.000 players.

Thomas Sandgaard has confirmed that Johnnie Jackson's automatic contract renewals are tied to final league position.  He says that it is 'fairly generous' in Jackson's favour, 'but I don't want to be stuck with it long term if it turns out long term that wasn't right: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-owner-reveals-what-triggers-contract-renewals-in-johnnie-jacksons-deal/

Sandgaard praised Jackson's performance as caretaker, particularly his decisive substitutions, and says that he decided that he wanted him to carry on in the role a month before it was formalised, but the legal details took more time than they should have done.

Jacko appointed

Johnnie Jackson has been appointed permanent manager of Charlton: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-fans-favourite-johnnie-jackson-appointed-permanent-boss/

His contract will renew at the end of each season.

Hoped for loans may not be available

Thomas Sandgaard has talked about using the loans market in January, but fewer loans than usual may be available.   

The chairman of a leading Premier League club told The Athletic this week that they are already considering putting a block on fringe players going out on loan in January.  Although bringing in loan signings takes away the worry about making a longer-term financial commitment, everything points to there being a small pool of players to choose from because of the impact of COVID-19 on top of injuries, and how concerned managers are about squad depth.

Preventing fringe players from going out on loan next month is far easier than recalling loanees, even if it runs the risk of upsetting some, either by reneging on verbal agreements that were made earlier in the season with youngsters, or by denying frustrated first-team players the regular football they crave.

Premier League loans may not be that relevant for Charlton.  Realistically, it is Championship clubs who stand to miss out most from Premier League clubs being more protective over their players. That said, it could have a ripple effect further down the EFL, given that some Championship clubs will be reluctant to let under-23 players join League One and League Two clubs if they haven’t strengthened themselves.

Of course, Charlton will also want to loan some players out, ranging from first team fringe players to Academy hopefuls.   The context described above may help there.

Midfield may be overloaded says Sandgaard

Thomas Sandgaard gave these quotes to Richard Cawley a month ago about the January transfer window but they are nevertheless interesting.   He says that the size of the squad is about right.  Trying to improve the quality of the midfield in the summer, which we did, may now mean that it is overloaded: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-owner-thomas-sandgaard-on-january-transfer-window/

The plan is to bring in young up-and-coming players who can be developed, plus perhaps one or at most two loan players.   Lyle Taylor anyone?  Not for me.  This also implies that a new striker will not be signed, but it is difficult to get value in January.  I would be interested in Colby Bishop from Accrington in the summer.

The big question is who will be the manager advising on the signings, I would have thought we would have a decision by now.   Sandgaard was right to be initially cautious because of the new manager bounce phenomenon, but Jackson has now proved himself to players and fans.

Addicks to Victory

 harlton bounced back from the disappointment of Shrewsbury with a good performance and a 2-0 win over Ipswich Town at The Valley.

For the first portion of the first half the two sides cancelled each other out in a rather scrappy encounter.  There was little action in either box.

A Purrington cross was put over the bar by DJ.

Washington made a great run, the keeper saved but Stockley put the ball low and hard in the net on 26 minutes.

A lunging challenge on Gilbey led to a booking for Donacien.

Gilbey fed Stockley but the ball went across the goal.  

A Washington shot was blocked for a corner.   Stockley's free header went wide.

HT: 1-0

An effort by Purrington was saved after Washington had turned provider.  It was a very good save.

Purrington put in a cross across goal, but there was no one there to receive it after a well constructed move by Charlton.

A header from Lee was just over the bar, Purrington having fed him.

Joe Pigott came on in place of Fraser on 64 minutes.  A shot by Lee was saved, another chance for Charlton.   Clare almost caught the keeper out in play following a corner.

Pearce got a yellow card for a foul.   DJ came off and Leko came on.   Aluko came off for Ipswich and Chaplin came on/  A great run by Gilbey led to a Charlton corner.

The keeper made yet another good save from Washington.   Following a free kick won by Purrington, Walton had to make another good save from Washington.

On 87 minutes Gilbey scored drilling the ball to the right hand side of the keeper.  The move started with great patience by Washington then Lee put the ball through.

Four minutes were added on but Charlton were comfortable as the revving of reversing tractors echoed from the Jimmy Seed.

Curbs said you couldn't pick out a man of the match because there were so many.   It was a thumping 2-0 victory.  We never allowed Ipswich to get going after the first ten minutes.

Matt Holland said that Charlton were more positive in their passing and their play.

Jayden Stockley said: 'I feel great, a bit sore now.   There's always that fear at 1-0.  Both teams cancelled each other out a bit in the first 20 minutes, it needed that goal.  We played some really nice stuff.  In terms of clear cut chances we had a lot.   Our defence has been amazing, DJ put in a shift. We're coming into the best form of the season now as a unit.  Everyone feels part of it.  It was phenomenal to hear the Valley rocking.  Gilbey deserved that goal.  I want to finish my career here and look back on impressive numbers.'

Johnnie Jackson said: 'I'm really pleased, it was a wonderful night for us.  It was an even start.  Even before the goal we started to get on top.  We played some lovely football at times, we should have scored more goals.   We have to be more clinical.   Gilbey feels he should score more goals, which he should, but he's been outstanding for me.  We missed Jason Pearce.  There's going to be some tired lads after that game, we have to manage the training carefully.'

Battle of the caretakers

Macauley Bonne will have a point to prove when he plays for Ipswich against Charlton at The Valley tonight.   Since joining the Tractors, he has found the barn door: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/macauley-bonne-may-have-extra-motivation-on-charlton-return-joe-pigott-also-has-strong-links-to-addicks/

The East Anglian press are billing this as 'the battle of the caretakers', but admit that it is 'now or never' time as the Tractors seek to get out of the mud and into gear.   Ipswich have not lost at The Valley since 2008 and have won four and drawn once since then: https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/charlton-athletic-v-ipswich-town-preview-8543910

Andy Hunt interview

Andy Hunt recalls his time at Charlton which he says was a really well-run club.  He is now back in football 'big time': https://www.secretfootballer.com/p/exclusive-interview-andy-hunt?fbclid=IwAR3DjymkY2mvSYWmx5dEQG585X32x1nQRnhZtkAYPVNgceX7Iorc-zImtgQ

Of Curbs he says: 'I think he was an extremely professional manager and extremely approachable and even when I was having a rough time at the end of my career he was just great about it, he was really understanding.  He could well have gone on to take other jobs too, I don’t really know why he didn’t, who knows?'