No signings moaners had to take a day off yesterday as Charlton signed two free agents, Welsh defender Tom Lockyer and striker Chuks Aneke, formerly with MK Dons: New signings
Former Bristol Rovers captain and fans'favourite Lockyer was over the moon at meeting Lee Bowyer, hanging on every word he said: Lockyer deal
A Bristol Rovers fan has said on Twitter that Lockyer is the best centre back they have had for 20 years and deserves the chance to prove himself at a higher level.
Jonny Williams is to join Charlton for their warm weather training camp in Spain (hot rather than warm): Williams accepts invite
This does not mean that the popular player will sign for Charlton, but it does mean that the door is still open for a deal.
No surprise that the bookies see Charlton as relegation favourites (along with Millwall): Going down
For all the skills of Lee Bowyer and Johnnie Jackson, there are limits to what they can do with a threadbare squad and an owner who didn't want to go up and isn't prepared to recruit players of Championship standard. It's effectively a Premier League Division Two.
Watching Rotherham's games last season they played some good football but often ended up losing, or conceding victory, by the odd goal late in the game. Charlton's prospects could be transformed by a well-funded takeover, but there is no positive news on that at the moment.
However, Richard Cawley has just tweeted that there may be some good news on the signing front today.
Charlton could not offer enough to tempt 24-year old midfielder Reuben Lameiras to join them: Bowyer gives his verdict
Joe Aribo's move to Rangers has been confirmed. In a widely praised statement on Twitter he thanked everyone who has helped him at Charlton.
Given all the controversies that have arisen about new rules and their interpretation by the referees and VAR in the women's world cup, has the time come for the fan-assisted referee system? It is being tried out in the Isles of Scilly league which is now being sponsored by Vodafone: 5G rollout
5G’s unique characteristics will allow anyone with a compatible smartphone to become a remote assistant referee. Whether they are socialising at the local Scillonian Club, broadcasting live on air with Radio Scilly or on a boat in the harbour, locals who are not pitch-side can review disputed penalties, goals or red cards and deliver their verdict instantly back to the match official.
Don't forget that you can hear my weekly broadcast on Radio Scilly shortly after 9.30 a.m. on Saturday (although I now have to focus on Truro City and Argyle).
Roland's sidekick Lieven de Turck was absent from last night's Fans Forum as he was involved in negotiations to sell the club. Three parties are said to be actively involved in discussions. It was ever thus. If Roland insists on complicated clauses, negotiations are bound to be prolonged.
There is an update from the Forum on the club website. It is not much of an update, but fuller notes will be published eventually: Update
It is now claimed that getting promoted has made the club more difficult to sell: 'The large costs around owning a Championship football club are a barrier for sale. The average Championship club loses around £15m a year which is not sustainable, each season ticket holder costs the clubs approximately £1,000.'
Nevertheless, there are owners who are willing to take a punt on such losses in the hope of recouping them in the Premier League, if only through parachute payments after one season in the top flight.
One is left wondering what the point of the meeting was. If there is not a takeover by the start of the season, there will be a special meeting. Clearly it would be desirable to conclude a sale as soon as possible, but I cannot see any taxation reasons why a sale should be delayed until July 1st as some have claimed.
If anyone was interested in having Jay DaSilva back (and I know he divides opinion) he has signed a permanent deal at Bristol City: DaSilva
I note increasing concern about the size of the squad. The material date is 3rd August not June 26th. If there is no takeover, we will get some loan players for our relegation battle - loan players always come late. If there is a takeover, there should be some money to spend. Either way, it's out of our hands but let's show some faith in Lee Bowyer.
