Stephen Kavanagh has made use of the bike conveniently parked outside his door and stood down as chief executive at Charlton. Martin Prothero, executive vice-chairman, appears to be in charge of the search for a successor.
On the club website, chairman Martin Slater emphasises the inevitability of change. Certainly Kavanagh's days seemed to be numbered when he left the board.
Charlton fan Jonathan Acworth has signalled his availability.
There has been quite a lot of concern about the 1-0 defeat at Gillingham or more specifically about the performance which is more important as results in these pre-season matches don't count. This is not just coming from the usual suspects who see one setback as evidence of inevitable relegation. Indeed, Chris Powell himself has made it clear that he wasn't satisfied.
It is therefore worth reproducing these comments from one of the more level-headed Addicks who was there:
We looked a lot better when we returned to a 442 later in the game, Hollands replacing Cook (who looked half decent incidentally), but first half in particular we struggled for possession against a surprisingly neat Gillingham side and to me we looked easy to play against us. Hollands is by far our best central midfielder so perhaps it's not a surprise we missed him.
I personally think Stephens has much to prove about his ability to step up - he was poor on Saturday, giving the ball away cheaply way too often. Not, I hasten to add, was he the only culprit, but he was playing at the base of the diamond and losing the ball there puts the defence under immediate pressure.
My main observation was that we lacked width, and with our passing lacking crispness and accuracy it meant that it was easy to snuff us out. I thought the movement of Cook in particular was promising, but with Pritchard and Jacko playing narrow it was left to our full backs to push up to give us the attacking width we did have - and I can't see we'll get that freedom against the better Championship sides.
A personal view is that Powell knows very well that the central midfield we have isn't strong enough with two wingers, and with no money to spend in the transfer market he's having to explore different ways to make the best of it. Personally I think a 451/433 would be the way to go, and Haynes, Cook and BWP can all play effectively from wider positions and have the pace and quality that can turn defence quickly into attack.
But it's been suggested elsewhere that maybe the biggest lesson is for the board. Powell has a squad that can compete at championship level, but it will be competing for survival without the investment to bring a touch of quality to the midfield, give Stephens time to learn the game a little more, and perhaps to bring some greater mobility at the back.
Although the Addicks have been strongly linked with West Ham striker Sam Baldock, no formal bid has been made for the player according to Chris Powell: Baldock
That, of course, does not rule out informal enquiries. According to the Bristol press, the signing of Baldock has been imminent for days. It is more than likely that the complex structure of the deal has held it up and that it will be concluded in the next day or two.
As Powell stressed, it is still silly season when asked about other players linked with Charlton. It looks increasingly likely as if we more or less have the squad that will have to face the Championship. It can always be strengthened in the January transfer window if necessary and provided funds are available. There is also the usual recourse to loan players.
Powell has told Leon Clarke and Paul Hayes they are free to leave as he is unlikely to be able to offer them regular first team football. Scunthorpe United have been interested in re-engaging Hayes, but apparently he has told them he is not available.
Chris Powell has told BBC Radio London that the team need to do more work on their playing style before the start of the season. He commented, 'We're playing slightly differently and whether we stick with that remains to be seen.
The manager said that he was still mulling over a few positions in terms of who would play where. However, he emphasised that training had gone well and there was a good spirit and unity in the squad.
Full text of report here: Powell
Scunthorpe United are hoping to persuade Paul Hayes to return on loan to Glanford Park for a third time: Hayes
The player's wages may be a stumbling block as all Charlton players received a post-promotion pay boost. However, the Addicks may be prepared to part subsidise the player's wages.
Brentford are also interested in taking him on loan.
Although Charlton only won 1-0 at Crawley last night, with the heavy rain favouring the home side, there were plenty of positives to take from the match. The winning goal came from a Green free kick. Green was playing centrally in a 4-3-3.
Kerkar got a late run out and looks promising, those who were there thought he had similar style to Stephens. Cook was lively, his play including a great ball to Haynes in the first half that set him up with the outside of his foot, but Haynes slipped. Haynes worked hard and Hollands supplied good passes.
Taylor, Smith and Wagstaff were less impressive. Taylor was a bit slow at times and Waggy was in his powder puff mode. Smith got a hard time off Claude Davis and poor body language to go with it. His contribution was limited to the odd flick on. Hamer was solid.
Salim Kerkar has signed for Charlton on a one year deal. More about him here: Kerkar
The 24-year old playmaker was formerly with Rangers and joined the Addicks on trial in the middle of July.
