Wednesday 27 March 2019

Bowyer, Jackson and key players still waiting on new contracts

Despite 'news' from Charlton three weeks ago that Roland Duchatelet was now ready to open talks with Bowyer and Jackson on extending their contracts that expire in 12 weeks time, there has been no contact. We have also seen a few players deals renewed but the bulk remain out-of-contract and the message I would get from this if I were one of them is that I need to be securing my future elsewhere.

The Bowyer and Jackson situation is a disgrace and it's hard to fathom why it hasn't been addressed long ago. It's yet another potential own-goal by Duchatelet and Bowyer isn't someone I would risk messing about. He knows more about the game, agents and contract negotiations than Duchatelet and his minuscule management team put together. The Standard raised the issue yesterday with the risk that former-club Leeds United might see Bowyer as a replacement for Bielsa. Perhaps Duchatelet is waiting on a play-off outcome and hoping we either don't make it or lose out in order to strengthen his negotiation hand? Again, that would be a foolish strategy with Bowyer having done brilliantly to even get this far with the unbalanced squad he was given the long injury list and losing his joint top scorer in January with no replacement.

The club should also be about to announce season ticket pricing for 2019-2020 and it would be a perfect opportunity to announce that Bowyer and Jackson's services have been secured. Still time for that but I have long since given up on linking 'sensible' or 'logic with Roland Duchatelet. In the meantime I hope season ticket holders are preparing to delay purchasing until this situation has been sorted out and we have an idea who or what we will be supporting next season.

Still no news on the latest takeover rumours but it looks like Duchatelet is dragging his feet again NDA and price. It's beginning to look a lot like news of him wanting to sell the club was a ruse to get protestors off his back and that the effort being put into selling the club is, er, as light as that looking to re-contract key personnel. When will it ever end

Finally, sorry to see good-guy Chris Powell sacked at Southend. He's had no luck with injuries and the club have suddenly found themselves in hot relegation water which has forced the owner's hand. Not looking good for Chris as he desperately needs another bit of success to boost his flagging managerial career. His next job needs to less riskier than Southend manager.

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