Goals galore for Charlton X1's

The two Charlton sides put out against Ebbsfleet and Braintree (two clubs not one) both won impressively yesterday. The stronger side won 6-0 at Ebbsfleet whilst the second string put 9 (nine) past Braintree. You shouldn't read too much into freindlies but winning with high scoring margins against other professionals can't be a bad sign.

The team at Ebbsfleett featured Elliot, Racon, Wagstaff, Shelvey, Basey, Sinclair and Jensen at some point or another; all youth/fringe players last season, many look certain to get their big chance this year to cement their futures. Apart from Elliot's clean sheet, Wagstaff, Racon and Shelvey all scored fine goals. Andy Gray notched from a great Racon pass and got a touch to another which won'[t do his confidence any harm at all. Jerome Thomas and Kelly Youga paired particularly well on the left and Moutaouakil made his first appearance of the season from the bench. The only negative appears to be another dismal performance from Dean Sinclair.

I haven't seen the side put out at Briantree yet, but I am guessing Svetislav Todorov didn't play there either, so has been kept back from the three non-league friendlies so far. Chris Iwelumo was also an absentee again yesterday and looks destined to be moving on shortly. Let's hope we can get close the £1m we look like accepting for Marcus Bent after our poker face in turning Cardiff's initial offer down hasn't worked with no other offers being made.

The squad get another holiday in Spain this week, when no doubt there will be as much promotional work as football before they return to take on Brighton & Hove Albion on 26th July.