Time for Youth

The Reserves won their final game of the season last night to go two points clear at the top of the table but will likely be overtaken by Southampton for the title, as they have two games left in which to secure victory. Nonetheless, it's a fine achievement and reflects well on our current youth crop as well as our inflated first team squad.

Alan Pardew has struggled to get a playing reaction from the first team squad on far too many occasions this season. It's really hard to see why, as most of the players are his and they have all taken their turn to come out with the line re the belief in their ability and the manager to turn things around etc. Despite the current apathy and/or anger amongst fans, I believe the majority think we do have a good enough squad to be challenging as that's the reason our shortfall has become so frustrating. So what to do about it?

Well, we must bring in several new faces during the close season and we need a couple of winners/talkers/leaders. However, as I have said, I really don't believe we will have the funds to do more than two or three decent signings and we still need to change it up for August to ensure we get off to a fresh start which will be all important in restoring fragile confidence and personal belief. To that end, it's time we introduced another couple of youngsters and they need to come in for the last two games where they can make their entrances without the burning expectation of the new season. They will likely get support from the Charlton crowd and we know we will get 100% effort and focus which we clearly haven't been getting from the all of the current first team squad. Another insipid display on the last day and the Valley crowd will vent their anger loud and early.

I am a firm believer that you do need to protect your young players and manage their introduction. However, some players are exceptions to the rule and if they look good enough, persevering with them can pay dividends. Lee Bowyer springs to mind. I'm no expert on our youngsters but Grant Basey has done very well since coming in and injury, followed by pressure to go with experience has limited his chances this year. Jonjo Shelvey has been earning rave reviews and he looks strong enough to cope physically with a spell of first team games. Pardew mustn't shy away from giving a couple of others debuts to see how they cope and to up the ante with the established squad. Rob Elliot and darren Randolph also deserve another go.

Trying to finish on a positive note, Cory Gibbs played again last night and there's every chance he could finally be fit to start a season and show us what he's capable of. Todorov and Chris Dickson should also be back in contention and that should increase Pardew's options. If he can get the right midfielders to hold the middle and prompt the forwards, we might have a chance of getting off to a decent start and giving ourselves something to build on.

The Board can also help if they get the season ticket policy right, although the lack of comminuication and delay in announcement to the last match of the season look like expectation management which will not be good news if it is. I suspect their policy will likely be a marginally drop in most prices to reflect Championship football with no new "promise".